Thiago Rhavy & Con Chello’s Son JMen Jump to Stardom in the $72,545 Neodent Grand Prix CSI 2*-W

By Jumper News on 2024-04-28

Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – April 27, 2024 – A super Saturday at Sociedade Hípica Paranaense culminated with the running of the $72,545 Neodent Grand Prix CSI 2*-W. The showgrounds were packed and stands full with equestrian fans from all over Brazil for the World Cup Qualifier, also valid as the last test on Brazilian soil, a part of the selection process of the Brazilian team for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.

In the end, it was Thiago Rhavy (BRA) and Con Chello’s Son JMen who flew higher than the rest, coming from behind for victory in the main class, also counting precious points for the Brazilian Senior Top Ranking.

A four-star international course designer herself, having become the first woman to perform the craft at the Pan-American Games, last year in Santiago, Chile, Marina Azevedo (BRA) was responsible for designing the course and she did it impecably.

Twenty-eight combinations took part in the first round of the two-round challenge, with the top twelve returning in reverse order of the standings for the second part. A true testament of good course designing, fences fell all over the place. However, two bogey jumps stood out: obstacle three, which was successfully cleared by most riders who opted to do it in six strides instead of seven. The penultimate obstacle, an oxer-vertical double which took a toll on the participants as well.

Stephan Barcha (BRA) and Chevaux Goldfinger Império Egípcio were the only ones to complete the first round without having any penalties attributed to them. Moreover, the Pan-American Champion was the only rider to qualify two mounts for the second and decisive round of the 1.60m contest, having done so with Chantilly JMen despite eight penalty-points.

Having six riders with four penalty-points behind him, Barcha had the advantage of being the last one to go. However, he did not have the same fate in the final round. He had two down with his leading mount, eventually setlling for sixth place.

**Felipe Juares de Lima** (BRA) & **Nina Blue M. Secco**

Carrying four penalty-points from the first round, Felipe Juares de Lima (BRA) and Nina Blue M. Secco improved, posting a clean fast second run in 57.55 seconds that propelled him all the way to second place.

**Raphael Machado Leite** (BRA) & **HST Charlene Impérigo Egípcio**

Once again, Haras Império Egípcio was represented on the podium as the consistent Raphael Machado Leite (BRA) guided HST Charlene Impérigo Egípcio towards a foot-perfect final performance and a final score of 4, securing bronze honors in 58.57 seconds.

It all came down to Thiago Rhavy (BRA) and Con Chello’s Son JMen (Con Chello x Balou du Rouet), who took over the lead and never looked back. Rhavy raced around the track aboard in flawless fashion yet being fast enough to put pressure on the next riders, earning top honors in 55.52 seconds.

As for their next event, Thiago plans competing with him in the JK Cup, also valid for the Brazilian Senior Top Ranking at his hometown, Brasília, where he says that the courses are good and the footing too.

Winner’s Circle: Thiago Rhavy (BRA)

“The partnership with Conchello’s Son JMen began in the middle of 2022 during a negotiation for other horses. The partnership with Haras Santa Esmeralda, a phenomenal stables with a string of successful young horses as well. I had the privilege being in the saddle of Conchello with José Luiz Carvalho, who is another super rider, who was responsible for his career earlier. I had the opportunity of getting him already a little more developed and ready. All that I can do is thank all this team for the opportunity.”

In terms of strategy in the second round Rhavy stated: “I had complete the course with 0 penalty-points and be fast enough to force him to gallop and if he had a fault, then he would have to gallop to chase my time, not giving him an easy time. If he opted to go clear, a little bit slower and had one down, which I expected and turned out to be the case. He [Stephan Barcha] is a super horseman. I was fortunate today to be ahead of the pack.”

His approach to the bogey jumps: “The vertical at number 3 was very tall in the beginning of the course where the horse is still a lit bit cold. Con Chello is a very powerful horse, he allows me to take off from farther, having more space to jump. At the end [oxer-verticle double], I trusted his power, helping with pressure. He’s a horse that when everything is right, he does his homework, a fantastic, super horse!”