January 27, 2018 – Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX – Under sunny skies, 25° C (70°F), in a large arena, 125m x 85m (410’ x 279’), with almost 1,900 tons of brand new footing, Mexico welcomed an international field of twenty-eight starters in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Guadalajara, presented by Scappino at the gorgeous Guadalajara Country Club. Seven horse and riders pairs advanced to the jump off, representing four countries. With one Argentinean, a Frenchman, an American, and four Mexican riders, it was twenty-six year-old Mexican rider Luis Alejandro Plascencia aboard the Dutch stallion Davinci (Verdi x Concorde) who led the victory gallop, double clear in 40.66s.
The technical track, designed by Level 4 FEI Course Designer Guilherme Jorge, consisted of sixteen jumping efforts, asked its share of questions from beginning to end. An oxer at 1.65m wide at the far end of the arena, a triple combination adjacent to the VIP, and a wide triple bar towards the end of the course were where most rails fell. However half the class had one rail or less, a sign of excellent design and good sport.
Plascencia noted, “I really liked the track, Guilherme is my favorite course designer. The course was technical, but there were not any tricks in it. I loved it.”
First to go, Fabian Sejanes (ARG) and C. Amalia Z, left the door open with a score of four faults and a conservative ride. Next in, Mexico’s Gustavo Ramos and Izzy Miaki, took the lead, double clear in 42.50s. Both Eric Navet (FRA) aboard Calypso and last year’s winner Francisco Pasquel (MEX) on Naranjo made gallant efforts, posting solid times but each dropped the height of one jump on course, finishing fourth and third respectively. The sixth challenger in the jump-off, Plascencia and the talented 10-year-old Davinci, scored the only other double clear round, stopping the clock in 40.66s for the lead and ultimately the win. Last to go, American Sarah Scheiring on Dontez, also picked up four faults, but gained some valuable World Cup points finishing fifth overall.
Although we all know the importance of a good ride, Plascencia gave all the credit to Davinci. “My horse tries very hard over every jump. He is very consistent and has a lot of natural talent. I sit there and he does everything for me.”
Saturday Results:
Longines FEI World Cup Jumping
North American League Standings:
QUOTES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE:
Luis Alejandro Plascencia: “I really liked the track, Guilherme is my favorite course designer. The course was technical, but there were not any tricks in it. I loved it.”
“I got my horse from Europe a little over a year ago. He was very green when I got him and was difficult, but I put twice the time and effort into him because I knew he was talented. He is becoming very good now.”
“Although I am leading the standings in the World Cup now, I am not planning to do the finals this year. He needs one more year to do the big Grand Prix, but maybe in the future.”
“I would like to go to the PanAms, the Central American Games, and then the Olympics. Then WEG.”
“My horse tries very hard over every jump. He is very consistent and has a lot of natural talent. I sit there and he does everything for me.”
Gustavo Ramos: “I do not think my plan would have been any different if I would have gone later in the order of go. My horse is not the fastest, he loses a little time in the air, so my plan would not have changed. I was very happy with how quick he was today and how quick he is getting. I have trained with different people already, and I used to be slower, so it is good that I am getting faster with him.”
“My horse is not the quickest, but he jumps big, he can do the Nation’s Cup and the 1.60m classes. He is definitely a championship and Nation’s Cup horse. I would like to do the World Championships in Tryon, that is my goal.”
Francisco Pasquel: “I was excited to try to win today. I knew that Alejandro and Patricio had very fast horses, so I had to take my chances. I lost a little concentration at the water jump and added a stride, which made the next oxar a little far away. I paid the price, but I had to take a chance. I was happy to be third today.”
“My goal is the PanAms and WEG this year. I want to do the Central American Games too. I hope to be on the team and qualify for the PanAms – that is my main goal.”
“This is an amazing facility. I was not expecting all this crowd. This is the main event of the city and the country. Last year was very good. We changed the footing this year, and I think it is the best show in Mexico. Longines was very kind with trusting us with the World Cup, and extending the contract for another two years. I am very excited, and the riders are too. It is coming together very nicely.”
Guilherme Jorge. “It is a lot of hard work, and I have a very good team. My jump crew is the best in the world, and it is a very good facility and a fantastic show.”
“I always have the horses in mind, which is very important. It depends what time of the year it is for them, there are so many shows for them, so I want the horses to be jumping happy. The venue is fantastic. The atmosphere and facility is very good. It is fantastic.”
Rafael David, representing the OC: “We are very pleased to have these competitors here. Next year we will have Guadalajara and Valle de Bravo. We are very proud, and we couldn’t do this without the help and support of the North American League.”
