A very squared course that has given certain problems to the riders, especially the complicated entry to the first element of the triple, causing most of the knock downs of the class. The time allowed was very tight, which has made the riders to rush to the maximum, making amazing cuts to enter the last obstacle. Finally, there were 18 riders who managed to make the course without fault, thus getting into the jump-off.
The French rider, Roger Yves Bost, made a spectacular course riding Sydney Une Prince, in a time of 42.23 seconds. This victory was a surprise for Yves Bost himself: “When I finished the course I did not expected to win”, said the rider at the press conference that took place next. “But apparently, my horse was the fastest of the jump-off”, he laughed.
Second was the Belgian Niels Bruynseels with Cas de Liberte in 42.67 seconds. Bruynseels, who has been doing a very good season, has praised the work done by his horses. “I owe everything to my horses,” said the Belgian, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”
“The two riders that worried me the most for the jump-off have been the ones that have ended up ahead of me,” acknowledged the Irishman Mark McAuley, who finished third riding Mibello. “However, I’m happy with my course”, he added.
The one in charge of delivering the awards to the winners of the class was H.R.H. the Infanta Doña Elena, Honorary President of the Organizing Committee MHW 2017.
The only Spaniard who managed to sneak into the jump-off was Julio Arias, who finished in the 14th position riding Lennox Luis, in a time of 45.77 seconds. “I was very happy to have finished the first course without fault,” commented the Spaniard, “but when I saw that we were 18 classified for the jump-off I knew that I didn’t had a single choice; my horse is not the fastest. ”
The press conference was also attended by Álvaro Arrieta Konay, Show Director, and Javier Trenor, better known as “Chape”, Madrid Horse Week’s Course Designer.
“More horses than I expected managed to get into the jump-off,” said Trenor, who thought the distances were tougher than they turned out to be. “Congratulations to the riders. They ride even better each year and they have better horses, which makes it harder for us.”
Álvaro Arrieta has taken the opportunity to thank Mutua Madrileña, Longines and the rest of sponsors for making possible this fifth edition of Madrid Horse Week. “We are already working on next year’s edition,” said Arrieta.
