Juan Matute Jr. Sweeps Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations' Cup Small Tour Competition with Win In FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDIO 3*

Juan Matute Jr. and Dhannie Ymas (Photo: Susan J. Stickle)

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.

Katharina Stumpf and For My Love (Photo: Susan J. Stickle)

"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.

Katharina Stumpf (AUT) competed as an individual in FEI Nations' Cup competition this year aboard For My Love, which she has successful campaigned in the open divisions at AGDF this season though she competes as an amateur.

"Thank you to all of the sponsors, officials, and people supporting me. I'm very pleased with my horse, and this whole season has been fantastic for us. We've gotten better and better, and it is a fantastic end to the season. I'm just so happy."

Concluding his first season in Wellington at AGDF, Raul Corchuelo (COL) and Beckham also competed as an individual pair in competition this week, showing consistency and balance through their Small Tour performances.

Raul Corcheulo and Beckham (Photo: Susan J. Stickle)

"This was a very special evening for me because this is my first season in Florida, and I'm very happy with Beckham. I'm thankful to his owner who supported us to get here," stated Corcheulo. "I've been working with this horse for three years now. Yesterday, lol I felt that he was a little bit behind my leg and I wanted to make sure that he wanted to do it today, and he did."

Thomas Baur, Director of Sport at AGDF, commented on the expansion of the Small Tour competition, as well as the separation of Large Tour and Small Tour competition for individual awards, a new format that may possibly take shape for the next Pan American Games in 2019.

"For me, it's very special because when the idea came up at the FEI General Assembly last year to split the Intermediaire I Freestyle from the Grand Prix Freestyle, I immediately jumped on board. This is also to have that idea included in the Pan American Games for 2019 and now there is a chance for other countries, outside of the USA and Canada, to go for medals," explained Baur.

"I'm more than happy that my old friend Raul earned the bronze medal tonight because it shows that countries from Central and South America are able to go for medals," he continued.
 

Katharina Stumpf (AUT), Juan Matute Jr. (ESP) and Raul Corcheulo (COL) in their presentation ceremony for the Intermediaire I Freestyle in the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations' Cup CDIO 3* at AGDF. (Photo: Susan J. Stickle)

Neve Myburgh (GER) and Belissima 23 captured the FEI Intermediaire I CDI 1*, presented by YellowBird Farm, receiving a 72.368% to secure the win. Joanne Trout, who shows the mare in national level competitions, owns Belissima 23. Jennifer Baumert (USA) and Ramiro finished the class in second place with a 69.737%, while Jane Cleveland (USA) and Monique followed in third place earning a 69.649%.

Competition at AGDF concludes for the season tomorrow, Saturday, April 2, showcasing the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented YellowBird Farm, and both the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3* and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses. For more information about AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

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%
 
Final Results FEI Intermediaire I CDI 1* presented by YellowBird Farm
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse I,nformation: Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge B%, Total %
 
1. Neve Myburgh (GER), Belissima 23, 2004 Oldenburg mare by Belissimo M x Walzerlied x Donnerhall owned by Joanne Trout: 72.237%, 70.132%, 74.737%, 72.368%
 
2. Jennifer Baumert (USA), Ramiro, 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding by Don Romantic x Ramona x Rambo owned by Jennifer Baumert: 69.211%, 70.395%, 69.605%, 69.737%
 
3. Jane Cleveland (USA), Monique, 2009 Danish Warmblood mare by Temptation x Kaprice x Matador owned by Jane Cleveland: 71.711%, 66.842%, 70.395%, 69.649%
 
4. Kevin Kohmann (GER), Fritz San Tino, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by Falkenstern II x Wanessa x Wanderbusch II owned by Melanie Pai: 67.500%, 68.684%, 69.079%, 68.421%
 
5. Jill Irving (CAN), Donatella 79, 2005 Oldenburg mare by De Niro x Weidenkatatchen x Canastal owned by Jill Irving: 68.816%, 68.026%, 68.158%, 68.333%
 
6. Lindsay Kellock (CAN), Royal Prinz, 2001 Oldenburg stallion by Royal Diamond x Mystica x Dream of Glory owned by Teresa Simmons: 65.789%, 70.526%, 67.368%, 67.895%
 
7.  Evi Strasser (CAN), Rigaudon Tyme, 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Rosario x Carmen x Calypso II owned by Evi Strasser: 64.868%, 67.105%, 66.447%, 66.140%
 
8. Sarah Stanuschewski (GER), Lertigo Tyme, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by Lancier x Greafin Bahr x Graf Lehndorf owned by Evi Strasser: 66.184%, 66.711%, 64.605%, 65.833%