Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – April 25, 2024 – Cloudy skies and cozy cool weather took over the city of Curitiba as the first day of major competitiongot underway there with the running of the Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*-W. Held at the Rafael Justus Arena in the showgrounds of the Sociedade Hípica Paranaense, the 1.50m jump-off challenge featured courses designed by Marina Azevedo (BRA) and was contested by 41 combinations.
Twelve combinations completed the first round impecably but only ten opted to take part in the decisive round. In the end, it was a familiar face to equestrian fans not only in Brazil but the world, an Olympic rider and the current Individual Pan-American Gold Medalist who rose to the occasion to claim top honors in the feature class of the day. Stephan Barcha (BRA) guided Chevaux Chantilly JMen towards two flawless flights around the track, completing the tiebreaker in 42.41 seconds aboard his very own Brazilian Sport Horse (BH) .
The next two top placings were claimed by world-renowned Haras Império Egípcio. Cesar Almeida (BRA) rode Nefertite do Arete Império Egípcio towards silver honors in fault-free fashion too, earning reserve honors just over one second slower (42.46) than the eventual winners.
Fellow teammate, Raphael Machado Leite (BRA) and Carisma Império Egípcio were a bit further back, rounding out the top three in 44.19 seconds.
Vitor Dantas de Carvalho (BRA) on Dream Day Melp and Renato Junqueira Arantes (BRA) with I Am Método were the only other combinations to post clean scorecards over the two rounds, finishing in fourth and fifth places respectively, being timed in 44.33 seconds and 49.37 seconds.
Sérgio Marins (BRA) and California 19 would have finished on the podium but an unlucky pole down meant they would have to settle for fifth place despite their time of 43.47 seconds.
Final Results – $10,020 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*-W – 1.50m
1) Stephan Barcha (BRA) & Chevaux Chantilly JMen – 0 / 0 – 42.41
2) Cesar Almeida (BRA) & Nefertite do Arete Império Egípcio – 0 / 0 – 42.46
3) Raphael Machado Leite (BRA) & Carisma Império Egípcio – 0 / 0 – 44.19
Source: News Release by Carola May for CBH – Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo (Brazilian Equestrian Confederation)
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.
Photos: © CBH / Go Jump / Grace Cambraia
Discover more from JUMPER NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News Brasil
