Wellington, Florida, USA – March 23, 2019 – Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) and Collin cruised to victory in the $36,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate Classic CSI 4* during the eleventh week of competition of the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida, USA.

The course of the 1.45m speed class was set on the Derby Field of Equestrian Village after being designed by Olaf Peterson Jr. (GER).

Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Billy Dorito were the first among forty-two combinations that entered the ring to compete, however one-time penalty kept them out of contention.

The first clear came from fellow countryman Captain Brian Cournane (IRL) and Colourful Lady, stopping the timers in 68.36 seconds, which would be good enough for 8th place.

It was Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) and Santa Secilia Stables’ 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Colandro x Amethist) that took the lead for good, crossing the finish line in 63.90 seconds.

It was one-two for brazilian-born riders since Santiago Lambre (MEX), who represents Mexico, guided Dingeman to second place, backed by a penalty-free performance in 64.84 seconds.

Hunter Holloway (USA) and VDL Bravo S (Ephebe For Ever x Chellano Z) completed the podium after a clean scorecard and a time of 65.96 seconds.

Brooke Snader of Douglas Elliman, ringmaster Steve Rector, and Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) aboard Collin

Winner’s Circle

On the Win & Collin’s Amazing Story
“With this horse it is a little special, every time (we win) this horse has a really nice story. A little bit more than three years ago, he horse was going to be slaughtered, because he was so difficult. A friend of mine (Didier) called me and said he had a horse for me to try. There was just one more horse for me to see, I sat on the horse and he was absolutely crazy, impossible to jump. I said to my friend, what do you want from me?

“And then he told me, listen I bought this horse for nothing, for the price of meat, let’s try something. I said to him, it’s beautiful, it’s really nice what you did but I am professional, what do you want? He convinced me and we tried together. After that, we won everywhere we went, he’s an absolutely fantastic horse. For me when I have goood result like this, it is really special.”

On Building the Bond with Collin 
“When he arrived at home, I felt a lot of quality, he was afraid of everything, so I started little by little, to try to be nice to him, to get him confident about me. He’s the the kind of horse that if he doesn’t have confidence in the rider, he can’t jump. It was little by little and step by step, respecting him. The main thing was that I was not trying to change his way, I was trying to adapt to his way.”

Key Factors for the Victory 
“That tight rollback helped for sure but the most important factor is that he has such a big stride and also the turns. I did eight strides to the double, I think I was the only one. He is really fast naturally, so that helps me a lot.”

The first class with him was with me when he was seven years old. He had been at home for only two weeks and there was a show two hours away from home. When he arrived in the horse show, he was better. He went on to post clear rounds so I called my friend and told him (Didier – who saved the horse from being slaughtered) and he was crying.”

Next Competitions
The Saturday Night Class ($134,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic) and classes next week. Then we go to Kentucky, Langley and Spruce Meadows.

Results: $36,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m Classic CSI 4*

Place / Rider / Country & Horse (Sire x Dam Sire) – Faults | Time

1) Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) & Collin (Colandro x Amethist) – 0 | 63.90

2) Santiago Lambre (MEX) & Dingeman (Nintender x Darnels) – 0 | 64.84

3) Hunter Holloway (USA) & VDL Bravo S (Ephepe For Ever x Chellano Z) – 0 | 65.96

4) Francisco José Mesquita Musa (BRA) & Filou Impérigo Egípcio (Querlybet Hero x Ahorn Z) – 0 | 66.00

5) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Z Diamanty (Diamant de Semilly x Cor de la Bryere) – 0 | 66.23

6) Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) & Dena-Sienne (Van Gogh x Animo) – 0 | 66.60

7) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Kirschwasser (Amaretto d’Arco x Nebab de Reve) – 0 | 66.94

8) Brian Cournane (IRL) & Colourful Lady (Casall x Acord II) – 0 | 68.36

9) Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) & Loughnavatta Indigo (Luidam x VDL Arkansas) – 0 | 68.92

10) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Cas 2 (Indoctro x Numero Uno) – 0 | 70.39

11) Petronella Andersson (SWE) & Finally Z (Figaro C x Darco) – 0 | 70.70

12) Bliss Heers (USA) & Antidote de Mars (Diamant de Semilly x Jarnac) – 0 | 72.41

For full results, please click here.

Photos: © Sportfot