The Top Riders Grand Prix brought a great week of competition during the Top Riders to its grand finale last Sunday. The 1.55m challenge over two rounds was won by Jose Luiz Guimarães de Carvalho (BRA) and Lousiania JMen, at Sociedade Hipica Paulista (SHP) in the city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

The Brazilian was victorious by registering no penalties taking into account his two performances and posting the unbeatable mark of 48.02 second in round 2.

Twelve out of the 26 combinations had qualified for the second round over the track set up by the international course-designer Hélio Pessoa. Besides the eventual winners, the only other combination that registered a double clear were Fernando Bastos Filho (BRA) and Quisling Quarry de Joter, crossing the finish line in 48.02 seconds for the second spot on the podium. Olympic rider and second place in the 2018 Brazilian Senior Top Championship, Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) and Quisling Pedreira Joter earned bronze honors, having one pole down for 4 penalty-points after going through the timers in 48.76 seconds.

José Luiz Carvalho (BRA) & Lousiana JMen taking off towards victory in the Top Riders GP

For José Luiz, (37), the weekend could not have been better since he won both qualifier for the GP and the Grand Prix, board aboard Lousiania JMen, 12, a mare sired by Landario JMen out of a mared by Romancier JMen.

“I have to be very thankful to the owners Leo Nassif and Elisangela for their trust of sending this mare to me here in São Paulo. I think our partnership had worked out well, from the beginning we understood each other, “said José Luiz. “We have had good results in all classes and we finished the season with a crowning moment due to this great victory in today’s GP. It was very exciting: it’s the first time I’ve won this Top Riders Grand Prix and this mare has a heart the size of the world” , declared the champion.