WELLINGTON, Fla.--Venezuelan Olympian Luis Fernando Larrazabal on Baroness won the $62,500, CSI3* WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 on Feb. 14 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal Baroness (Photo by Sportfot)The win was their third international victory at WEF this season and came on the grass derby field during Hunter week while many competitors were in Ocala at the World Cup qualifier.

Over the course set by Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris, 14 were clean to go on to the jump-off.

Larrazabal finished clean in 45.78, with Ireland’s Bertram Allen on Pacino Amiro, his mount from the Tokyo Olympic Games, second in 46.61 seconds.

Quentin Judge on HH Griffin van de Heffinck was third in 46.97 seconds.

“When we come out here on the grass field, she has a lot of success, and I always have a good feeling, but you never know until you pass the timer flags after that last jump,” said Larrazabal. “I’m very pleased. Luckily, I was at the end of the second round, which gave me perspective on how the others were doing.

 

“I MADE my plan as always, I know she’s fast, and we know each other inside out,” said Larrazabal of the mare he has been competing with since she was 6.

Baroness was Larrazabal’s mount for the Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru, last December, and in that championship, they jumped to double silver medals in team and individual competition.

“The team behind Baroness has been supporting me for so many years,” said Larrazabal. “There have been times when people were asking to buy her, but they are committed to keeping the horse for me. I’m very happy that we’re able to bring some wins home.”

Friday marked Larrazabal’s second WEF Challenge Cup victory after starting the season with a win in Round 2.

He is now awaiting the arrival of his third daughter’s due date in three weeks.