José Roberto Reynoso (BRA) and Azrael W wrote another beautiful verse in the sport of showjumping, winning the FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix of São Paulo CSI 2*-W yesterday during the São Paulo Indoor CSI 2*-W at the Sociedade Hípica Paulista (SHP) in the bustling city of São Paulo, Brazil.

It was a fairytale ending to a victorious week for the Olympic Brazilian rider and the 13-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding (Chin Chin x Voltaire). The horse was away from the rings for 8 months and only made his return to competition in the beginning of September.

The Brazilian rider had also won the same Grand Prix last year aboard Azrael, making him a three-time champion (2010/2017/2018).

Twenty-three of South America’s best combinations faced the first round course with only the first twelve automatically qualifying for the jump-off. Time was definitely a factor and the combinations either had at least a time-penalty or one pole down for four penalty-points in their first performance.

Luiz Pimenta Alves (BRA) & GB Celine

José Roberto Reynoso (BRA) and Luiz Felipe Felipe Pimenta Alves (BRA) were the best ones in the first round, each having only one-time penalty. There was no change in the final results after the second round as Reynoso claimed the victory with a flawless run in 46.66 seconds.

Luiz Pimenta Alves (BRA) & GB Celine

Luiz Felipe Pimenta and GB Celine (Cardento x Concorde) settled for second, the difference being their final time of 47.93 seconds.

Cesar Almeida (BRA) & Chicago O

Cesar Almeida (BRA) and Chicago O (Douglas x Indoctro) completed the podium after registering two time-penalties in the first round and a clean run in 48.28 seconds at the end of their second effort.

José Roberto Reynoso (BRA) & Azrael W with Francisco Mari

It was the curtain call competition of South America most important showjumping event, featuring a triumphant return that served as perfect script for a fairytale story.

Podium: 1) José Roberto Reynoso (BRA), 2)Luiz Pimenta Alves (BRA), 3) Cesar Almeida (BRA), 4) Marcelo Ciavaglia (BRA), 5) José Roberto Reynoso (BRA), 6) Tiago Mesquita (BRA) & Corvette des Collines  

The dynamic promise several victorious chapters in the future after a winning career so far, one that includes grand prix victories during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, USA.

For full results, please click here.

Text by Lo-Ami Souza for Jumper News, no reproduction without authorization.

Source: Press release by Carola May / Rute Araújo for CBH – Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo (Brazilian Equestrian Federation)