Tackling Erica Sportiello’s (BRA) tie-breaking second round, Larrazabal returned late in the order in the winning round format where the top 12 from the opening round jumped off. He and the 13-year-old Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte were the top pair by nearly a full second over runner-up and fellow Paris Olympian Shane Sweetnam for Ireland. Sweetnam’s 41.16-second time settled 9-year-old Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, owned together with Coquest, LLC, into second behind Condara’s 40.08-second time. 

Rounding out the top three was the highest ranked female rider in the world (18), Laura Kraut (USA), riding another up-and-coming mount in 9-year-old Emeraldo 4, owned by Stars And Stripes. 

“When I have horses like these, I know they're fast and they have the experience to go for the class,” said Larrazabal of his back-to-back international wins, which were also bolstered by a national 1.40m victory earlier in the day on Thursday. “I always try to go for the win, but also focus on my plan instead of looking to the other riders. 

“I was a little surprised today because I touched A of the double coming in and I thought I had it down,” continued Larrazabal. “I turned [to look] and I thought I lost a little time there. I was disappointed that I lost my focus, but I kept the pace and I'm very happy it worked out.”

In addition to the 2024 Olympic Games, Condara was Larazzabal’s go-to choice for the 2023 Pan-American Games in Chile. “I know her inside out. The course was tough enough today, but when you have a horse of this caliber and with the experience that we have, you can be confident at the 1.50m level. She loves the field; she's good in every ring—the bigger, the more spooky—I think it's better because she loves to jump and there's nothing that can knock her out of her connection and focus.”

Larrazabal returned to familiar territory after finishing second with Condara in the same competition during the 2024 season. They will now switch focus to preparing for the $120,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix to close the third week of the Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on Saturday.

For complete results from the $62,500 JTWG, Inc. CSI3* Qualifier, click HERE.