Jaime Azcárraga Wins Grand Prix In San Miguel Allende

© : The main ring in Otomí, San Miguel Allende in the state of Guanajuato in MéxicoThe main ring in Otomí, San Miguel Allende in the state of Guanajuato in México.

Jaime Azcárraga won the Challenge Cup in San Miguel de Allende in México for the second time.  The Mexican rider who sustained a severe injury at the beginning of the year looked as fresh as ever and riding Anton with a double clear round bested the other eleven combinations who were clear in the first round by German designer Werner Deeg, from the 35 original list.

© : Werner Deeg from Germany, Course Designer
Werner Deeg from Germany, Course Designer

“The footing is perfect, one of the best in the World” declared Weeg, who is not strange to this site as he has design several occasions in the past eight years, including the first time a Grand Prix was held in San Miguel de Allende.  “I find the riders and horses 100% better that the first time I was here.  This course is as tough as anyone in a CSI2*, I would not design any different in Europe” said Weeg.

© : Juan M. Luzardo from Uruguay won the Clásico
Juan M. Luzardo from Uruguay won the Clásico

Saturday was the Clásico, with 50 entries.  Twelve were cleared and jumped against the clock.   Jaime Azcárraga was sidelined, though, with one time point for exceeding only two tenths of a second, but his sons did pass to the decided round.  Gonzalo, the eldest, was placed second with Quite Nice S.  The winner was John Perez from Colombia, while the third place went to Juan M. Luzardo and Stan from Uruguay, who have had a terrific year.

On Sunday after the festivities of St. Michael, patron of the city that carries his name, San Miguel Allende, celebrated on September 29th. but that was extended to the weekend with folkloric dancers and a lot of fireworks all night long, the weather was perfect for the Grand Prix course designed by Weeg.  35 combinations participated, and twelve went clear.

© : Gustavo Ramos first double clear roundGustavo Ramos first double clear round

In the Jump Off the first double clear was Gustavo Ramos, who just returned from the Masters in Spruce Meadows where he represented México, but his time of 55 seconds was vulnerable.

© : Jaime Azcárraga won the Grand Prix, for second time his name is engraved in the Challenge CupJaime Azcárraga won the Grand Prix, for second time his name is engraved in the Challenge Cup

Jaime Azcárraga (57) a veteran of three Olympic Games, who just came back to competitions after a fall in Valle de Bravo at the beginning of the year, looked as fresh as ever and with Anton produced a clear round in 44.76 seconds.  Only Luzardo was faster with Stan, but he had down the very last fence (eventually finishing in fifth).  Argentinian rider Fabián Sejanes was second with a time of 46.87 seconds, and

© : Daniel Pedraza and Arc De TriompheDaniel Pedraza and Arc De Triomphe

Mexican rider Daniel Pedraza L. who rode Arc de Triomphe, the same mount at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg last April, stop the timers in 47.14 seconds for third place.  Francisco Lomelín also had a double clear round but in 50.56 seconds.

© : This is the last event of the year in San Miguel de Allende, but several CSI are planned for 2017 beginning in the spring
© : This is the last event of the year in San Miguel de Allende, but several CSI are planned for 2017 beginning in the spring
This is the last event of the year in San Miguel de Allende, but several CSI are planned for 2017 beginning in the spring.
No Comments Yet

Comments are closed