Santiago Diaz Ortega (COL) and Chasspleen Flamingo Z (Cardento 933 x Dollar du Murier) finished the second week of Spring MET III 2026 at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain with a win in the CSI3* 1.50m CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A – Grand Prix.

In a jump-off of eight, Diaz Ortega clocked the winning time of 35.81 seconds, leaving Alex Barr (GBR) and Preben van de Doornakkers (For Pleasure x Nabab de Reve) to the runner-up spot with their time of 38.11 seconds, and besting a field of 45.

“He improves every day, I am so proud of him,” Diaz Ortega said about his winning mount, the 11-year-old gelding Chasspleen Flamingo Z. “I have him together with Abdel Said and Jos Lansik, they were kind to give me an opportunity to ride such a nice horse.”

“It was a tough one,” Diaz Ortega analysed the competition. “When I walked the course, I did not expect so many in the jump-off. We were lucky to be clear!”

For Diaz Ortega, the venue in Oliva Nova is a place he likes to return to. “I always count the days to come here, it is the best show I can have with my family.”  

The margins were small among the top five; French legend Michel Robert on Calasto Z (Calvaro F.C. x Stakkato) placed third when stopping the clock on 38.16, followed by Martin Dopazo (ARG) with I.Umonia R 60 (Den Ham Blue R x Chellano) in fourth in 38.38 and Amanda Landeblad (SWE) aboard Springfield 21 (Stakkato Gold x Classiker) in fifth in 38.93.

Spring MET III 2026 continues next week and runs until March 29^th, followed by Spring MET IV in April.Click here for full results.

The photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include
photo credit to © Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com.