Matias Fernandez Cuevas Claims the Win in the $35,000 South Coast Plaza Speed Challenge CSIO 5*

By Jumper News on 2023-05-16

San Juan Capistrano, California, USA – May 13, 2023 – Chile’s Matias Fernandez Cuevas (CHI) and Emotion des Truffiers led the CHF $35,000 Speed CSIO 5*, presented by South Coast Plaza, from beginning to end on Saturday, May 13, at the San Juan Capistrano International CSIO 5* & CSI 2*.

The duo was the first of 16 entries to take on Leopoldo Palacios’ (VEN) speed track, and they laid down a time of 60.62 seconds that would prove uncatchable. Coming the closest –with a time of 62.25 seconds – was Canada’s Sean Jobin (CA) aboard Coquelicot Heuvelland Z, owned by Foxridge Farms Stables. Fellow Canadian Beth Underhill (CAN) rounded out the top three with a time of 64.32 seconds riding Jack, owned by Thaisa Erwin.

“It’s amazing!” said Cuevas of his win and the competition throughout the week in California. “For a rider, this experience is amazing – riding with the best riders in the world. I learn a lot, and it’s an amazing atmosphere and fun to be here.”

Senior Director of Tourism for South Coast Plaza Brian Chuan presented **Matias Fernandez Cuevas** (CHI) & **Emotion des Truffiers** as the winners of the CHF35,000 CSIO5* Speed, presented by South Coast Plaza.

Cuevas continued, “For my horse, [the course] was pretty comfortable, so I was confident. I went into the ring number one, so I stuck with my plan, and it worked [well]!”

Cuevas has only been partnered with the 9-year-old Selle Français gelding (L’arc de Triomphe Margot x Elan de la Cour), owned by L&L Equine Investments LLC, for the past year, but they have meshed well in that time.

“He doesn’t have too much experience, but he’s pretty good,” concluded Cuevas, who is currently based in San Francisco, CA. “For me it’s a very important win, and I am so excited!”

To learn more about competition at Blenheim EquiSports, visit ThePlaceToJump.com, and to find out more about the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA, the featured event of the San Juan Capistrano International, visit USANationsCup.com.

Final Results – $35,000 South Coast Plaza Speed Challenge CSIO 5*

1) Matias Fernandez Cuevas (CHI) & Emotion des Truffiers – 0 / 0 – 60.62

2) Sean Jobin (CAN) & Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z – 0 / 0 – 62.25

3) Beth Underhill (CAN) & Jack– 0 / 0 – 64.32

full results

COURSE MAP

Source: Press Release by Emily Randolph for Blenheim Equisports