The growth of dressage in Colombia is still going on and, for the first time in our sports history, we had a 3* CDI with the third edition of the MOUNTAIN CUP at the Club Campestre Llanogrande in the Rionegro region of Antioquia. Who else but the “paisas” (as we call those of that region, recognized for their tenacity, drive and tireless work) to join forces and carry out this monumental event?
During the days of April 10 to 12, horse / rider combinations from all over the country gathered to compete before 5 FEI judges and give their best in an arena beautifully decorated with cars from the main sponsor Autoland – Ford pots with Colombian plants and letters made of flowers, in accordance with the tradition of the “silleteros” in the Flower Fair, typical of that region. Maribel Alonso (MEX – Level 4), Gabriel Armando (ARG – Level 3), Marian Cunningham (PER – Level 3), Christine Prip (DEN – Level 3) and Cindi Rose Wylie (USA – Level 2) were in charge of evaluating us and guiding us with their educational feedback and positive attitude. Without a doubt, they enjoyed the hospitality, the beautiful landscapes and the delicious food, especially that of the La Causa restaurant that made a special (and spectacular) invitation to all the officers.
THINGS OF LIFE
The CDI 3* had originally been created to start qualifications for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2027 Pan American Games. Paradoxically, none of the Grand Prix horses were ready and they could not compete. The Organizing Committee did not allow itself to be diminished by this condition and maintained the status of the CDI to be able to enjoy all the invited judges and logistics planned months in advance. We must not forget that in this sport it is the horse that dictates the times, there are no shortcuts that can be taken to get there faster. For years, in Colombia there was a limit to reach Small Tour however, this changed for some time now, thanks to the vision of the Dressage Committee of the Colombian Equestrian Federation and the National Technical Advisor, the German Albrecht Heidemann. The economic power in our third world country is not enough for us to buy "made" horses and, almost fortunately, we have learned to reach the top with what we have. With great pride we already see horses arriving at Medium and Big Tour well trained in Colombia. Despite not being able to have them in Llanogrande, we did have combinations from Children to Small Tour, including very good representatives of Young Horses.
OBSERVATION EVENT
The Small Tour served as an observation event for the Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in the Dominican Republic at the end of July this year with mixed levels of Small and Big Tour. The rider María Antonia Arango, aboard her Spanish mare Macarena, surprised by winning the Pr. St. Georges level with a clean, steady and harmonious test. Mariana England, with the talented mare Viva Vitalis, came back in form for the Intermediate I test, taking the honors of first place. In the Inter I Freestyle we had a new winner: Gabriela Arango with the beautiful Lusitano stallion Mambo.
THE FUTURE
We are guaranteed a good future in riders, because not only did we see Martina Zapata competing with El Búho LA in the children's division of the CDI, but we also had a touching group of riders competing in Pre-Children and Semilleros (Roots), our national categories for the little ones.
The quality of the young horses is not far behind in talent for the future and we were able to enjoy a few excellent ones, some of them bred in Colombia such as the Lusitanos from Haras Azul that were presented in 4 years, Santo Azul with its owner Laura Quintero, and in 5 years, Rosso Azul ridden by the Portuguese Carlos Augusto Mareco Sousa. The task is clear: now it is up to us to continue to maintain programs that guarantee that these talents reach the top.
PARA-EQUESTRIAN
Within all the sports development of the country, it is good to give a small space to the Para-Equestrians who represented us very well with the Grade V riders Luis Vélez and Carolina Flórez and Grade III Juan Carlos Uribe. It is moving to see how all the attendees gather to cheer them on in their presentations and even more exciting to see how Carolina adapted to the mare Mágica that was lent by Puesto de Monta in a great act of solidarity.
THE CUPS
The Mountain Cup was extremely generous in prizes for all the tests. The two technical lessons at each level were averaged to give winners of the Cups in all categories. One in particular must be mentioned: the "In Memoriam Flanissimo" Cup that was awarded in Small Tour to remember this beautiful horse that sadly left us a few months ago. Juliana Gutiérrez, its owner and rider with whom she had countless triumphs in national and international arenas, was there to present the trophy to Mariana England and Viva Vitalis. It was an emotional ceremony where the teammates of the Bolivarian Games last November joined in tears for the nostalgia of the loss and joy of the new triumph.
MEMORIES
After three days of perfect weather, talented combinations and a nice atmosphere of camaraderie between the participants and the public, there are nothing left but words of gratitude to the entire Organizing Committee for a memorable event. We know that we must continue to raise the level of Dressage in the country and this will be achieved inside and outside the arena. Events like these, and those held in past years, also help us to raise the level.
