Cristobal Collado, Emilie Conter, Zoe Conter and Carlos Hank Guerreiro (Team C4) were determined during the CHF25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series Team Event. Taking center stage in the Global International Arena at Equestrian Village, 16 teams consisting of 64 up-and-coming international riders showed off in a nations’ cup format event.
After posting the lowest scores from the opening round, which included performances from all four members of each team and afforded one drop score, six teams advanced to the tie-breaking second round. Returning in reverse order of the current standing, Team Ashland, JB Jumpers, C4, Straight Eh’s, Ansgi & The Ladies and Cali Cartels were ultimately able to advance onward. Moving from fourth to the top, C4’s Cristobal (MEX), Emilie Conter (BEL), Zoe Conter (BEL) and Hank (MEX) finished on a combined final score of just a single rail and emerged victorious.
Lead-off rider Zoe Conter, 24, is going out on top during her last year in the Hermès Under 25 division. “I’m glad we could finish it on a good note. I’ve been doing this series for a while now and we’ve always been so close to winning the team event, so we were really motivated to win this year.
“There were some technical parts like to the triple and the last line which was a difficult four strides,” continued Conter, who piloted her mount Lazy over the Anderson Lima-designed track. “Overall, it was a friendly but challenging track.”
Twenty-four-year-old Collado produced two clear rounds for his team aboard Ditarca OH Z. “She’s nine years old, and a really simple ride,” said Collado of his mount. “I’m used to riding more difficult horses, so it’s been great to have her. The plan was to sell her originally, but I’m really enjoying my time riding her.
“This was definitely my biggest competition of the year,” continued Collado. “These guys are pretty professional and do the bigger stuff, so it’s fun to be able to do it with all of them and we got to deliver the win together.”
Emilie Conter, 22, guided Balento C.S. to her fourth Hermès Under 25 Team Event appearance. “It’s so much fun to do a team event with close friends. It’s a little more pressure which we really like. We were close last year, so we were happy to win it this year. Next, I’m hoping to be able to step up to the CSI4* and 5* level.”
Anchor rider Hank, 22, came in clutch for his team with two clear rounds aboard H5 Nostalgie. He spoke about enjoying the opportunity to participate in a team event when show jumping is largely an individual sport.
“This ring has a big impact on our riding and on our horses,” noted Hank on the indoor stadium feel of the Global International Arena. “Some horses are not use to rings like this, especially ones in America as we don’t have so many indoors here. But my horse has done a few indoors in Europe so I was confident he would perform out there and I was really happy with that.
“We were very focused on this week,” concluded Hank. “We all worked really hard, Emilie brought her number-one horse and we all tried to choose horses that would perform in this class. We are happy we achieved what we wanted.”
source: Press Release - F. © Sportfot
