The third and final week of the Autumn MET III 2022 concluded on Sunday with a Brazilian victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix presented by CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A.

Seven out of the 50 horse-and-rider-combinations at start cleared the first-round track set by Peter Schumacher (GER) and joined the deciding jump-off, where Thiago Ribas da Costa (BRA) and Kassandra Van’T Heike (Epleaser Van’T Heike x Grandeur) were the quickest. Stopping the clock on 36.28 seconds, the Brazilian rider took the win ahead of James Smith (GBR) aboard Arkuga (Arko III x Heartbreaker) and Taizo Sugitani (JPN) aboard Quincy 194 (FRH Quaid x As Di Villagana) – who had to share the runner-up position as both of them clocked a time of 38.10. Margaux Rocuet (FRA) and Djibouti de Kerizac (Quaprice Bois Margot x Le Tot de Semilly) took the fourth place with a time of 39.34 in the jump-off, while the fastest four-faulter, Rikke Belinda Barker (DEN) and Tabalou PS (Taloubet Z x Balou du Rouet), finished fifth.

“The course was difficult, you really needed a quality horse today,” Da Costa said after his victory in the Grand Prix, which was also a qualification for the FEI European Championship 2023. “The course designer did a really good job. All the classes here have been built really nicely,” he continued. “In the jump-off, I was lucky – I took every first distance that I saw, and my horse is really quick. She is amazing, she always gives her all for me. She is a fighter; she might not have the last scope, but she makes up for it with her attitude – and I know her really well now.”

“Oliva is a good place for producing horses for the top sport, and the organization is great,” Da Costa said about the venue at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova. “It is always nice to come here.”

The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour now takes a break, and returns in 2023 with the Spring edition kicking off on January 10th.

For more information, visit metoliva.com.

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