Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. took home first prize aboard Da Vinci, with a brilliantly clear ride and a time of just 40.66 seconds in the jump-off.
The crowd whistled their support as Plascencia cleared the final obstacle and laid down the gauntlet for the remaining rider after him to beat. It was not to be for American Sarah Scheiring, who rode next and wound up in fifth place after clipping a rail in the jump-off and coming in at 41.36 seconds. Scheiring, who was hoping for a victory to secure her entry to the upcoming World Cup Finals in Paris this spring, was in a nice position riding last after Plascencia. But in spite of this advantage and a long partnership with her mount, the pressure proved too much.
Rising to the occasion, Gustavo Ramos of Mexico and his horse Izzy Mlaki took second place in the jump off. Playing it slightly conservatively with his naturally slower horse, Ramos turned in an immaculate ride that paid off in the end for a clear run and a time of 42.50 seconds.Rounding out the podium was countryman Francisco Pasquel, last year’s winner at Guadalajara. Another crowd favourite, Pasquel gave a blistering time of only 39.33 seconds on Naranjo but hit a rail at the Longines oxer and accrued four penalty points.