On Saturday afternoon, the highlight of the Top Riders National Jumping Competition was the 1st José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez Classic, known as “Alfinete” (in memoriam), at Sociedade Hípica Paulista in São Paulo, São Paulo.

The competition at the centennial equestrian club inaugurated another ring named after Alfine, Olympic rider and Pan-American medalist and one of the greatest icons of Brazilian equestrian sports. Showing that experience makes the difference in the showjumping, the victory was earned by Olympic rider Vitor Alves Teixeira, 60, a ten-time Brazilian champion, three-time team champion and twice individual bronze in Pan-American Games.

Forty-seven combinations faced the 1.40m first round course, designed by the international course-designer Helio Pessoa, among only 9 returned to a tight tiebreaker.

Rafael Ribeiro (BRA) & Zetuska For

The time and penalty-free performance by the young talent of Rafael Ribeiro (BRA) aboard Zetuska For in 35.85 seconds seemed to be unbeatable. But as the last ones to go in the tiebreaker, Vitor rode Hilde Império Egípcio flawlessly, crossing the finish line in 34.92 seconds, cheered on by the fans who had come in numbers to Hipica Paulista. Another representative of the new generation of equestrians Guilherme Dutra Foroni (BRA) and SL Bonaparte came in 3rd place, having no penalties and a jump-off time of 36.47 seconds.

Vitor Alves Teixeira (BRA) & Hilde Império Egípcio

“It was a different victory from so many that I have had because it reminds me of Alfinete, someone who I had the pleasure to spend time with, have classes when I used to ride for Haras Pioneiro in Brasilia. He was also my Chef d’Equipe when we won gold at the Pan-American Games in Cuba. It is a great pleasure to win on the inauguration of the ring named after him and to see the plaque in honor of him.

“I think that at the moment the white hairs are good for something, but the mare has been performing very well throughout the year, and today I had the chance to come to the end and make use of my experience together with the mare’s characteristic of speed “, finished the champion.”

“I tried to do my utmost so that it might be registered along with the tribute paid to him, may he rest in peace with God,” declared Vitor, who also talked a bit about his experience.

Podium: Manuela Reynoso, Angela Aguiar (owner of Hilde Império Egípcio) and José Roberto Fernandez Reynoso Filho with the riders on the podium

“I believe that at this moment, the grey hair serve for something. Moreover, the mare has been performing very well throughout the year. Today, I had the chance to go last and make use of my experience along with her main characteristic, which is speed”, finalized the winner.

Among the numerous crowd and public, the presence of José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez Filho (BRA), the first-born of the honoree, current Brazilian Senior Champion as well as senior 2018 Brazilian Senior Top ranking leader, alongside his sister and rider Manuela Reynoso Gomes and Monica Guimarães Reynoso Fernandez, Alfinete’s wife, among other relatives, friends and directors at Sociedade Hípica Paulista.

“I would like to congratulate Vitor for the excellent performance in the tiebreaker by lowering the mark that seemed unbeatable in almost a full second. It was very deserved,” said Jose Roberto Reynoso.

José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez “Alfinete”

About José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez, “Alfinete”
The career of José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez, known as “Alfinete”, illustrious member at Sociedade Hípica Paulista (SHP), puts him among the most important icons of equestrian sports in the country. It was in 1965, at the age of 15, that Alfinete was the runner-up in the World Junior Championships in Italy. Two years later, he was team Pan-American champion in Winnipeg, Canada.

In 1968, right after becoming Pan-American champion, he won first place in Royal Rider Trophy at Toronto, Canada, the same year that he also won the Nations Cup in Geneva. In 1968, he closed out the year with a 7th place at the Olympic Games in Mexico City. He was known for his impecable and unique style, also a four-time Brazilian Senior champion ((1975/1976/1978 and 1981), seven-time champion of the Pão de Açucar Tournament at Sociedade Hípica Paulista (1975/1977/1978, 1980, 1982 e 1990), among many other achievements. José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez passed away at the age of 54 in January, 2002.

Results:

Place / Rider / Country / Horse /

1) Vitor Alves Teixeira (BRA) & Hilde Império Egípcio – 0 / 0 – 34.92

2) Rafael Ribeiro (BRA) & Zetuska For – 0 / 0 – 35.85

3) Guilherme Dutra Foroni (BRA) & SL Bonaparte – 0 / 0 – 36.47

4) Pedro Henrique Arantes Tavora de Matos (BRA) & Dasilithya Cooper – 0 / 0 – 35.69

5) Paulo Miranda (BRA) & Bien Estelle – 0 / 0 – 36.73

6) Guilherme Dutra Foroni (BRA) & Radiator II JMen – 0 / 0 – 38.58

Source: Press release from CBH – Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo – Brazilian Equestrian Federation

Photos: © LC Ruas by Luis Carlos Ruas