Jesús Garmendía & Callias Earn Scorching Victory in the €105,675 Invitational Grand Prix of Montemedio CSI 4*

By Jumper News on 2024-03-25

Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – March 21, 2024 – The winner of the €105,675 Invitational Grand Prix of Montemedio CSI 4* on Sunday was the very popular Spanish rider, Jesús Echevarria Garmendía (ESP), who set a such a fast time in the jump-off that it was really impossible to beat. This was a stunning win in the highlight class of the XXX Andalucía Sunshine Tour.

Jesus and Callias stopped the clock in 41.16 seconds with even a late challenge from top British rider, Ellen Whitaker (GBR) and Korlensky a 9-year-old (Cornet Obolensky) mare. The latter two were unable to catch them, completing their final performance in 43.47 seconds.

Callias is a 13-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding (Companiero x Casco) who is owned by Alejandro Entrecanales and this pair really were outstanding in Sunday’s 1.60 GP, designed by the French, Gregory Bodó (FRA), serving as a Longines qualifier for both the Paris Olympics and the 2025 European Championships.

**Jesús Garmendía Echevarria** (ESP) & **Callias**

Jesus told us after the class: “The horse was incredible. In the first round he jumped very well, right from the warm up arena he was giving me a really good feeling. Obviously in the jump-off, well anything can happen, but he is a really fast horse and I knew we had options open to us. For so many years this win has eluded me! Finally, winning has been very special and even more so on a day like today.” Jesus wanted to dedicate his win to Fernández Martínez de Albornoz, who was a great friend and who we lost just a year ago. “He was like a father to me in the horse world and today he helped me to win.”

Just behind Ellen Whitaker and Korlensky was Irish rider, Billy Twomey (IRL) with the stallion, Diego del Caribe (Kannan x Quidam de Revel). In fourth was British, Joe Fernyhough with Calcourt Particle (Spartacus TN x Lasino), and in fifth was German rider, Leonie Böckmann with Carter 10.

Final Results – €105,675 Invitational Grand Prix of Montemedio CSI 4*

1) Jesús Garmendía Echevarria (ESP) & Callias – 0 / 0 – 41.16

2) Ellen Whitaker (GBR) & Korlensky – 0 / 0 – 43.47

2) Billy Twomey (IRL) & Diego de Caribe – 0 / 0 – 44.47

FULL RESULTS

course map

Source: Press Release (edited) from the Andalucía Sunshine Tour