CSI 4*

Jose Saavedra Garcia’s Breakout Moment Winning $2,190,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup – Puebla CSI 4*-W

Puebla, Mexico – January 28, 2023 –With just three horses remaining in the first round of the MXN $2,190,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla CSI 4*-W (MEX), it appeared as if there might be a jump-off of 4-fault performers.

Through 17 combinations, there was yet to be a clear effort over Marina Azevedo‘s (BRA) 1.60m track. The group included to top ranked rider from Mexico, Nicolas Pizarro (MEX); defending champions Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (MEX) and Hortensia van de Leeuwerk; and the current national champions of Mexico, Federico Fernandez (MEX) and Davidoff.

Then Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) entered the arena for his World Cup debut and kept all of the jumps up. No one else could replicate the feat, giving the 24-year-old and his 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion Maximus (Centadel x Quidam de Revel) a memorable victory. 

“From the moment I jumped the first fence, I knew my horse was going to have a great round, so I just had fun.”Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX)

Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (MEX) & Hortensia van de Leeuwerk

Gonzalez Dufrane finished second with Hortensia van de Leeuwerk (Corland x Argentinus) (4/76.65), with Saavedra Garcia’s coach.

Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) & Bacot

Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) and Bacot (Lavillon x Corrado) completed the podium (4/77.50). 

“I’ve been riding [Maximus] for about a year, and I’m really excited to win my first World Cup,” Saavedra Garcia said. “There were points where things didn’t come up just right [on course], but my horse helped me out, and he was incredible.”

Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) & Maximus

Saavedra Garcia has hopes to earn a place on Mexico’s team for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo (DOM) this summer.

“Since I rode my first round with this horse, I knew we could do something amazing,” he said.

Final Results – MXN $2,190,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla CSI 4*-W

1) Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) & Maximus – 0 – 78.96

2) Manuel Gonzales Dufrane (MEX) & Hortensia van de Leeuwerk – 4 – 76.65

3) Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) & Bacot – 4 – 77.50

Source: Press Release by Catie Staszak for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

Photos: © FEI / Rodrigo Ceceña