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• 1,50 m CSI*** Grand Prix
• $50,000 in prize money
• 17 entries
• Speed: 350m/min

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31412″ style=”1″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left” width=”569″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today’s competition is the main event of the CSI*** Pan Am Celebration at Angelstone Tournaments. This class is unique because it’s the first class of the season to be held at night in the main stadium and the first CSI*** of the Angelstone summer series.

Before we start walking the course I have to say that this arena has a considerable slope, and the highest point is the middle of the ring. The slope makes every distance ride very different as if set in a flat surface.

The course starts with a very inviting oxer (1,35-1,40 by 1,30m) followed by a triple bar coming out of a right turn. The triple bar is not very high or wide (1,42/1,80m) but its followed by a very airy vertical with a solid white rail on top in a normal 7 strides.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31413″ style=”1″ width=”569″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]

After the third jump, there is a left turn and ample space to approach the first double combination on the course. 4a (1,45) 4b (1,45/1,50m)  is a vertical oxer two stride combination that rides a bit long because it’s going uphill and the distance between the jumps is 11,20m. In this combination the color of the rails makes it a little more difficult, but it also testes the ability of the horse to clear a wide oxer after a long uphill distance (scope).

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31414″ style=”1″ width=”389″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]After the double combination the riders need to find a good distance after stretching up the stride to obstacle number five, which it’s a solid wall with two rails on top and set at the maximum height of 1,50m but only 1,00m wide.  This obstacle can easily be faulted because  riders tend to speed up when there is ample space between obstacles mostly because they don’t want to get time faults, so they really need to be precise and ride this obstacle as an oxer even though its only 1,00m wide.

Roll back to #6 the wall that’s 1,47m high and 25,30m away from #7 (1,50m) a tall and airy vertical build with 10 ft. poles.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31415″ style=”1″ width=”569″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The line from #8 to #9a-9b it’s not easy either. The riders have to ride a big solid oxer (1,47/1,40) and then seven steady strides to the double of verticals both set at 1,50m, and the first element has a white plank on top.

The distance between the combination is 11,50m which on normal conditions may ride just a little bit long, but since its going downhill it rides short.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31416″ style=”1″ width=”569″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The final part of the course consists of a line after a roll back from the 9a/9b combination.

#10 starts the last line of the course, a vertical set at 1,45m and 21,00m away from the double combination 11a (1,45-1,55) -11b (1,50). The distance that would ride short in a flat footing, rides normal to a bit long on this arena. The opposite situation comes from the 8,00m distance between the combination, which rides a bit short in this ring.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31417″ style=”1″ width=”569″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]

After the double combination and 7 or 8 strides away in a bending line is this very delicate oxer with a Liverpool underneath (1,45/1,50). The last obstacle #13 comes after a long gallop going home and downhill and it’s definitely one jump that shouldn’t be taken for granted…

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31418″ style=”1″ width=”389″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The final result was seven clear rounds and a thrilling jump off that was defined within fractions of a second.  I’ll have to say that this class was a great success because of the very talented riders and horses that gave the spectators a night to remember.

Thanks again to the Angelstone management team, officials and staff it’s been a pleasure spending two weeks in Rockwood!

The sport as a whole…

Oscar Soberon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]