The young Juan Matute Jr. (ESP) took a clean sweep of the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations’ Cup Small Tour competition this week, as he piloted Dhannie Ymas to three consecutive wins, and captured the individual gold medal for this year’s FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDIO 3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm, with a score of 74.550%. Katharina Stumpf (AUT) and For My Love finished in second place with a 70.925%, while Raul Corchuelo (COL) and Beckham earned the bronze medal with a score of 70.900%.
Matute Jr. and Dhannie Ymas have competed steadily in the FEI Young Rider division offered at AGDF, and the pair have now successfully showcased their talent and poise representing their home nation of Spain in Nations’ Cup competition.
“I really enjoyed being a part of this Nations’ Cup competition. We were here in 2013 and 2014 representing Spain and it’s great to come back this year and have great success as a team and as an individual,” said Matute Jr. “Dhannie and I had a great test, and I have not felt a better test from us together. It was powerful and ambitious, but he also felt relaxed. We had an error in the collected walk, he spooked a little bit, but he felt super.
“I’m proud of our performances throughout the week,” he said. “We’re evolving everyday and getting stronger, as is our bond. I’m thrilled and very excited for the future. It’s a great way to end the season, and my team is excited to fly to Europe next month.”
Matute Jr. noted that the top three horses in the FEI I-1 Freestyle CDIO 3* were started or trained by his father, Juan Matute Guimon.
“This is a very special night for our family. We have three horses on the podium that belonged to my father as young horses, and it’s a huge success for my father as a professional. I’m very proud,” he said.
Final Results FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDIO 3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %
1. Juan Matute, Jr. (ESP), Dhannie Ymas, 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Don Crusador x Welina x Unknown: 73.750%, 73.000%, 75.875%, 74.250%, 75.875%, 74.550%
2. Katharina Stumpf (AUT), For My Love, 2001 Hanoverian gelding by For Feeling x Esudine x Esucdo I owned by Katharina Stumpf: 69.250%, 71.125%, 69.875%, 73.625%, 70.750%, 70.925%
3. Raul Corchuelo (COL), Beckham, 2000 Hanoverian gelding by Raphael x Graphina x Graphit owned by Gloria de Esguerra: 73.750%, 69.500%, 72.000%, 70.250%, 69.000%, 70.900%
4. Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo (ESP), Elevado, 2004 Hanoverian gelding by Falkenstern II x Wanda owned by Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo: 74.875%, 69.875%, 69.375%, 68.750%, 69.500%, 70.475%
5. Christer Egerstrom (CRC), Bello Oriente, 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Belissimo M x Maradonna x Donnerhall owned by Christer Egerstrom: 70.375%, 69.125%, 67.875%, 68.000%, 71.250%, 69.325%
6. Pablo Gomez Molina (ESP), Lanzado De Ymas, 2008 P.R.E. Stallion by Judio VII x Lanzada VII x Unknown owned by Cristina Danguillecourt: 68.625%, 65.250%, 67.750%, 67.000%, 68.250%, 67.375%
7. Rikke Poulsen (DEN), Pikk Elena HU, 2005 American Hanoverian mare by Pik L x Donatela x Don Primero owned by Horses Unlimited: 65.750%, 66.125%, 65.125%, 67.000%, 65.375%, 65.875%
8. Signe Kirk Kristiansen (DEN), Roberto, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by Walt Disney x Rubina x Rubinstein I owned by Signe Kirk Kristiansen: 65.125%, 65.250%, 66.125%, 63.500%, 64.375%, 64.875%
