Ottawa, Canada – August 23, 2024 – Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) made his Major League Show Jumping debut a memorable one, taking the win in the $62,500 Steel-Craft Door Products Qualifier CSI 5* at Ottawa. Atop Belle de Muze, the Maccabi United team member earned himself an individual win ahead of Saturday’s team event and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

As the last to go in the jump-off, the pair was the only one to break the 40 second mark, crossing the finish line at 39.68 seconds.

“It’s my first time coming to Ottawa and I love it,” said Larrazabal. “I wasn’t planning to come at the beginning of the season but now I’m very happy to be here.”

Larrazabal’s early arrival to the circuit came after a summer in Calgary, prepping him and the 14-year-old mare for a feat on the field. “My mare felt super nice here,” said Larrazabal. “She jumps with her heart at this level.”

The road to the five-star level wasn’t a sure one for Belle de Muze, but with the encouragement of owner Driss Ngadi, Larrazabal soon realized the mare could reach the top of the sport.

“From the first day he [Driss], told me she was going to be a five star horse and to be honest, I didn’t believe him,” said Larrazabal. “I owe everything to him. He’s the one that trusted her from day one.”

It was a double-podium day for Canada’s own Erynn Ballard (CAN), taking home the red ribbon with Fave d’Authuit, a nine-year-old Selle Francaiş gelding owned by Ilan Ferder, after taking the win in the Qualifier CSI 2* earlier in the afternoon. The pair finished on a clear 40.33 seconds.

Maccabi United had more than one team member on the five-star podium with Mark Bluman (COL) taking third with Concare PS. Bluman and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Nicolas Pizzaro closed out the podium on 41.11 seconds

The mare by Pensee V left it all on the field as she showed the crowd, and her partner, her natural talent for speed.

 “If I go clear I always have a chance to win or finish on the podium with her speed so that helps a lot, you don’t have to overthink. You just make your plan, believe and just give it a go, and to have the luck on your side that day; I guess that’s what I did today,” said Larrazabal.

Five-star action continues at Wesley Clover Park on Friday as teams chase the leaderboard in the highly anticipated $200,000 ClipMyHorseTV CSI5* Team Competition at MLSJ Ottawa. Tune in live at 4:15pm ET on MLSJ TV

Final Results – $62,500 USD Steel-Craft Qualifier CSI 5*

1) Luis Larrazabal (VEN) & Belle de Muze – 0 / 0 – 39.68

2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Fave d’Authuit – 0 / 0 – 40.33

3) Mark Bluman (COL) & Concare PS – 0 / 0 – 41.11

Source: Press Release from MLSJ – Major League Show Jumping

Photos: © MLSJ / Mackenzie Clark

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