WELLINGTON, Fla.--Bertram Allen on Pacino Amiro Cruise won the $140,000 WEF Challenge Cup CSI5*, the qualifier for the $500,000 Grand Prix to be held Saturday at 11 a.m.
Bertram Allen on Pacino Amiro (Photo by Sportfot)On Thursday, March 31 in the Challenge Cup, 14 of the original 54-horse starting field were clean over Brazilian Guilherme Jorge’s challenging track.
With Jorge being one of the world’s best designers, the qualifying track for the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* was sure to be a challenge, and included three double combinations, a liverpool element, and a tall wall.
Four of those 14 entries withdrew from the jump-off, Margie Goldstein-Engle), Rowan Willis of Australia, Beat Mändli of Switzerland and Kent Farrington, leaving only 10.
Third to go in the jump-off, Allen was clean in 42.88 seconds, a time that held up for the win..
“I started him off out here on the grass during his first week because I knew the next three five-stars were on the sand,” said Allen. “I think the reason we were so successful in today’s jump-off was because I didn’t lose my pace anywhere. Every time I turned, something nice came up and I didn’t have to do anything crazy or wild.”
ALLEN on Pacino Amiro had previously won the $406,000 Grand Prix CSI5* during WEF 6.
“He has been great throughout all of the circuit,” said Allen. “He’s had the last two weeks off, and I’ve just been trying to keep him feeling fresh. He really felt fresh today and found it very easy, so that was a nice feeling.”
Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca was second on F One USA, almost two seconds slower than Allen in a time of 44.24 seconds, and Karl Cook was third on Kalinka Van’t Zorgvliet, clean in 44.66 seconds.
McKayla Langmeier on Bahira S won the $12,000, 1.45m Speed CSI2*, also on the grass Derby Field.
Langmeier, going late in the class of 66 competitors, finished clean in 51.80 seconds.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal of Venezuela was fifth in the order and finished in 55.31 seconds on Calle Quinn, which looked like it would be the winning ride, until 52 trips later when Langmeier and Bahira S was 3 1/2 seconds faster.
Second to last on course, Luciana Christina Guimaraes Lossio of Brazil on Lady Louise Jmen stopped the clock in 54.73 seconds for second, while Larrazabal was third.
“Today’s goal with her was to go in there and try to win,” said Langmeier. “I just wanted to be mindful of the right turns in the course because they’re a little bit harder for me with her. Anywhere there’s a right turn and I’m going fast, I’m always a little bit pre-planning where I want to be on the landing with her.”
“She’s really hot and careful, so doing speed classes with her is kind of her little niche,” said Langmeier. “When I first started riding her, I was a little surprised by just how hot she is. She has a lot of blood, so she sometimes gets a little overpowering, but she’s really fun to ride.”
“It’s great to be able to come out here and kind of let her loose on the grass. Just changing up the scenery with her is always best to keep her sharp and always interested,” said Langmeier.
