The duo was the first of 16 entries to take on Leopoldo Palacios’ speed track, and they laid down a time of 60.62 seconds that would prove uncatchable. Coming the closest –with a time of 62.25 seconds – was Canada’s Sean Jobin aboard Coquelicot Heuvelland Z, owned by Foxridge Farms Stables. Fellow Canadian Beth Underhill rounded out the top three with a time of 64.32 seconds riding Jack, owned by Thaisa Erwin.

“It’s amazing!” said Cuevas of his win and the competition throughout the week in California. “For a rider, this experience is amazing – riding with the best riders in the world. I learn a lot, and it’s an amazing atmosphere and fun to be here.”

Cuevas continued, “For my horse, [the course] was pretty comfortable, so I was confident. I went into the ring number one, so I stuck with my plan, and it worked [well]!”

Cuevas has only been partnered with the 9-year-old Selle Français gelding, owned by L&L Equine Investments LLC, for the past year, but they have meshed well in that time.


For full results of the CHF35,000 CSIO5* Speed, presented by South Coast Plaza, click here.