Wellington, Florida, USA – January 20, 2019 – The final day of week 2 on Sunday, January 20, at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) featured two major classes in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Starting out in the morning, Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and El Milagro’s Caracas captured the top prize in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix.

The first Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix of the season was held as the first class in the International Arena on Sunday and had 44 entries competing over a course designed by Oscar Soberon of Mexico. Six were clear to advance to the jump-off. The Mexican and the 10-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding flew through the timers in the jump-off with no faults in a time of 38.08 seconds.

Ailish Cunniffe (USA) & Baloucento 2

They were chasing the time of 38.41 seconds set by second place finishers Ailish Cunniffe (USA) and Whipstick Farm Ltd’s Baloucento 2.

Manuel Fernandez Hache (DOM) & Divin du Haras des Barrages

Third place went to Manuel Fernandez Hache (DOM), who rode Divin du Haras des Barrages, owned by Aristides Fernandez Zucco, to a clear round in 41.97 seconds.

“I think Caracas is a very fast horse. He covers a lot of ground and doesn’t take a lot of time at the jump. I was lucky enough to go at the end,” said Garza of his jump-off ride. “I got to see these two guys go. I saw Ailish go, and I knew she’s very fast; I’ve gone up against [her] many times. She’s really fast, so we knew we had to give it our best and Caracas was there with me every step of the way and we had a good run.”

Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) & Caracas during the awards ceremony

Garza (22), started showing Caracas in October of 2018. “He’s a relatively new horse,” he said of the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cachas.“He’s a real winner. He’s extremely careful; he’s brave. He’s an all-around really nice horse, and I am really lucky to have him.”

For 21-year-old Cunniffe, the Hermès U25 Grand Prix series gives her the perfect opportunity to compete at a high level while also being a full-time student at Southern Methodist University.

“I only come here every other weekend,” she explained. “I’ve been doing the series for four years now; it’s an amazing series. It is a really good step in between the high amateurs or high juniors and the doing the upper level classes against really top riders, especially here in Florida.”

Also riding a newer horse in the U25 grand prix was Fernandez Hache (24). He and Divin du Haras des Barrages started together in October. “We did a few classes in December before I went back home for the holidays, and we just got back and this is our first time out,” he said. “I think we are getting to know each other a lot more, and I think he is a very competitive horse. We will see how far we can get.”

“Thank you to Hermès for being the sponsor and supporting the sport for under 25 [riders],” said Fernandez Hache, who is competing in his third and final year of the series. “I think it is a very good place where we can all move up and learn about the different atmospheres for jumping international classes. It is very, very competitive and very interesting. We get a better look at what really comes when we progress.”

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Source: Press release by Summer Grace / Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. for PBIEC – Palm Beach International Equestrian Center / ESP – Equestrian Sports Productions

Photos: © Sportfot