WELLINGTON, Fla.--Roberto Teran Tafur of Columbia on Gabrovo won the $5,000 Welcome CSIO4* Speed class on Wednesday, March 2 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Roberto Terna Tafur on Gabrovo (Photo by Sportfot)Riders from 20 nations competed over the speed course set by Nick Granat and Steve Stephens, with foreign riders making up 75 percent of the 80 combinations in the starting order.
The top U.S. riders continue to save their horses for next summer's European tour and the World Championships.
Teran Tafur began riding Gabrovo last spring, competing in 1.45m and 1.50m classes.
“He’s a really careful horse,” said Teran Tafur, who was clean in 62.14. “I just went in there a little forward, because that prepares him better for the bigger classes. The idea was to be in the top three, and a win is always fantastic.”
Colombia's John Perez on Voodoo 10 was second in 62.71 seconds, and Max Wachman of Ireland on Ikaros was third in 62.89 seconds.
“RIGHT NOW, he’s only becoming the horse that he’s going to be. I’m very excited,” said Teran Tafur. “He is getting better and better, and he is going to have an excellent career in the international ring. He’s just competitive and a good boy.”
“A win at WEF any week is always great, and then to hear your anthem in any class is always amazing," he said.
Antonio Martinez, Jr. of Venezuelaa on Forman De Virton won the second $5,000 Welcome CSIO4* Speed class, which was held Wednesday evening under the lights.
Martinez finished in 60.24 to win over a field of 46, including riders from 12 nations.
Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain was second on I-Cap CL Z in 60.99 seconds, and Heather Caristo-Williams was third in 65.70.
“I’ve had Forman De Virton for approximately three years now, and he and I share a very special bond,” said Martinez. “We have been bringing him back up the levels slowly as he recovered from an injury, but he is feeling even better than before now.”
Martinez rode Fonzie D’Herlaimont first in the class, but didn't go for speed on him as he plans to compete him in the Nations Cup on Saturday night.
“I was able to study the course on my first horse which definitely is always helpful,” said Martinez. “I thought it was a good course because it gave you time to pick up the pace but did not give you enough opportunity to get carried away. Our plan for this week was to try our best from the start, and I know Forman so well that I knew he would give it his all.”
