Otomi

Juan José Zendejas having a sip from the coveted Trophy.

Mexico is now host of 22 CSI, a big increase from some years ago when only one or two were held in Mexican territory. Including in this number is the WC Qualifier held in Guadalajara last month, and the Global Champion’s Tour that will be for second year in a row in the magnificent Campo Marte in downtown México City.

But there is also very good international shows in Balvanera, Xalapa (including the CSIO) and San Miguel de Allende.

In a residential venue in San Miguel Allende named Otomí, there were two weeks, out of five in the year, in February. Both have German Course Designer Christian Wiegand in charge. Having so many international shows, the participants in both weeks were different, some decided for the first week, others for the second. But in both there were a very good number or riders and horses, and great sport.

On the first week the Grand Prix was won by Juan José Zendejas, who rode his grey horse Tino de la Chapelle. Juan José spent most of last year competing in USA and Canadá, riding with Ilan Ferder, and represented Mexico in two Nation’s Cups. From the 27 original combinations only six went through to the Jump Off. Second place was for the Brazilian rider Rodrigo Lambre, followed by Antonio Maurer, the only three double clear. Alfredo Ramírez was sidelined with one time fault, while Patricio Pasquel riding Babel and Alberto Aldana from Guadalajra had one rail down each.

Nicolás Pizarro won the Clásico the first week.

The Grand Prix was held Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday the Clásico at 1.45m had almost 40 riders. The winner was Olympic Veteran Nicolás Pizarro riding Guizane, with the four time Olympian Jaime Azcárraga and For Fashion in second. Fourth and fifth were Arturo Parada from Guadalajara and Salvador Oñate from León, both with double clear, and with one rail down Francisco Pasquel now with Coronado. Arturo Parada traveled from there to Ocala to be part of the Mexican Team at the CSIO, together with Eugenio Garza, Alberto Sanchez Cozar a Spaniard who just acquired the Mexican Nacionality, and Olympic Veteran from the Athens Olympics Gustavo Ramos.

Juan José Zendejas won the GP in the first week and the Welcome at the second week.

At the second week Juan José Zendejas won the main class on Friday with his grey horse, but in the Grand Prix he had one rail down. This time the Grand Prix Radio Fórmula was held on Sunday, and three young riders were the winners: in first place

Andrés Azcárraga winner GP Radio Fórmula

Andrés Azcárraga, following the steps from his father who did not participated this week. In second place was Fernando Martínez, and in third from Guadalajara Juan Carlos Martín del Campo.

Junior rider Daniel Rihan Jr. won the Clásico, his first, the second week.

On Saturday at the Clásico at 1.45m three junior riders decided to participate for the first time at this division. Karime Pérez, Martina Franco and Daniel Rihan Jr. went clean over the obstacles, and together with ten more riders went against the clock. The three juniors were first in the Jump Off, Karime having one rail down and Martina and Daniel clear. Daniel’s time was very fast, nobody could beat his time. The previous day Daniel won the 1.35m class with his trainer John Pérez in second. This will happen again at the Clásico, as only Juan Manuel Luzardo from Uruguay did the exact same time as Daniel, but with one rail down. So it was a first again for Daniel, who won his first ever Clásico beating his trainer John Pérez for a couple of tenths of a second having a reply of what happen the day before. Gonzalo Azcárraga, Jaime’s elder son, was third.

Nicolás Pizarro Jr. with Crossing Jordan (his father Olympic partner) won the Children division.

In the Children division Nicolás Pizarro Jr. rode Crossing Jordan to first place. This is the same horse his father, Nicolás Pizarro Sr. rode at the Olympics in London.

Daniel Rihan with his son, host and proud father of the Clásico winner.

Eugenio Garza good results in Wellington. He will be part of the Mexican Team in Ocala.

In this same weekend some other Mexican riders were having great results in USA. Javier Berganza won the GP in Ohio, while Alberto Michan was fifth at the Welcome and placed at the GP in Wellington, and Eugenio Garza also was fifth at the Classic 1.50m in Wellington.

Also Daniel Pedraza in thermal finished in fifth at the Welcome as well as in the WC Qualifier GP, as he had one point for exceeding the time allowed, he was just one hundredth of a second from the time allowed. Daniel Pedraza participated at the WC Final in Gothenburg last year, and would like to go to Omaha next month.