José Roberto Reynoso took top honors in the Nutrena® Grand Prix
Jose Roberto Reynoso of Wellington, FL, and Azrael W took top honors in the $35,000 Nutrena® Grand Prix at ESP Spring I, hosted at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) to kick-off the post Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season circuit. The duo completed the jump-off track in 35.263 seconds to take first place ahead of Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, and Dicas, who crossed the timers in 36.579 seconds. Ailish Cunniffe of South Salem, NY, and Baloucento 2 rode to third place, finishing just behind Engle with a time of 36.838 seconds. Competition continues at PBIEC with ESP Spring II, beginning on Wednesday, April 12.
Reynoso and Azrael W, a 2005 Dutch Warmblood (Chin Chin x Voltaire) owned by Reynoso, rose to the top of the leaderboard after besting a nine-horse jump-off. Five pairs finished the day securing a double clear effort around both tracks. The pair finished a banner week of competition, after finishing in second place in the $25,000 Progressive Nutrition Grand Prix on Friday, just behind Laura Kraut and Deauville S, before their grand prix win.
“I thought the course was good. He was just amazing, like always. I really like this horse so much. I’ve had him since he was four and we have a very good partnership together,” said Reynoso.
The pair were the last to head into the International Ring during the jump-off for the class and Reynoso understood the challenge ahead. While several other riders had rails, he wanted to keep Azrael W careful, but also quick to ensure that the pair finished with the fastest time.
I was the last one in the jump-off and I knew that there were both four fault rounds and rounds with zero faults. I wanted to be careful not to have a rail and make sure that he stayed quick so that we could finish well,” he added.
The duo will contest the ESP Spring II classes before heading back to Brazil for their summer and fall seasons, with hopes of returning to Wellington for the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival and ESP Spring Series. He concluded, ” We’re going to jump Spring II and then we’ll go back to Brazil, but are already planning on coming back for the 2018 season in November.
Laura Kraut and Deauville S Top $25,000 Progressive Nutrition Grand Prix
U.S. veteran rider Laura Kraut of Wellington, FL, and Deauville S, a 2006 Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Lux Z) owned by Old Willow Farms LLC, rose to the top of a competitive first grand prix class during ESP Spring I. The pair dashed through the jump-off track in 38.626 seconds to secure the win. Jose Roberto Reynoso of Wellington, FL, and Azrael W finished just behind Kraut with a time of 39.298 seconds for second place. Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL, and Boy IV captured third place with a jump-off time of 39.298 seconds.
Kraut and Deauville S bested the 33-horse class, which featured a small but fast jump-off of five horse and rider combinations. The seasoned pair of Kraut and Deauville S have competed around the globe and finished with one of their top placings this season in the grand prix.