Graham Babes & Monks I Am Casall Conquer the Centre Ecuestre Oliva Nova Grand Prix CSI 2*

By Jumper News on 2026-11-03

Oliva Nova, Spain – November 01, 2026 – Great Britain’s Graham Babes (GBR) and Monks I Am Casall (I’m Special de Muze x Casall) brought the opening week of Autumn MET II 2026 to a successful close by sealing the win in Sunday’s Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova Grand Prix CSI 2* – 1.45m. Of the 72 horse-and-rider combinations that lined up for the class, ten advanced to the jump-off, where five managed to produce a second clear round.

Fifth to go in the jump-off, Babes and the 12-year-old gelding set a time of 40.46 seconds, leaving the remaining competitors with a challenging target to beat. His lead held until the end, with fellow Briton Carron Nicol (GBR) and RRH Out Of The Blue (Plot Blue x Livello) coming closest in 40.82 seconds. Marc Houtzager (NED) and Mereusa (Comme Il Faut x Toulon) completed the podium with a clear round in 41.20 seconds, followed by Tom McEwen (GBR) and Kilcannon Mischief (Dignified van’t Zorgvliet x Harlequin du Carel) in fourth place with 42.01 seconds. Carlos Lopez-Fanjul Tartiere (ESP) and Sandaru (Cornet Obolensky x Diamant de Semilly) rounded out the top five, crossing the finish line in 43.41 seconds.

**Graham Babes** (GBR) & **Monks I Am Casall**

“I’m very happy,” Babes said following his victory. “We were here for MET I, where he was third in the 3* Grand Prix, and he was second on Friday, so it was nice to get a win today.”

Reflecting on the course, Babes added: “It was good, quite flowing. I thought it was quite big for a 2* Grand Prix, but I think it was a good, fair course.”

For Babes, the victory was particularly meaningful given his long-standing partnership with Monks I Am Casall, a horse that has been part of his family since the very beginning. “He’s a real trier. All season, he’s been really, really good. He’s fast and consistent,” Babes explained. “I’ve had him his whole life. My father bought him as a foal, so he’s a really special horse to us.”