Casas Novas is synonymous with top level facilities, just like the CSI4 * A Coruña is synonymous with an elite competition. That is why when the best riders in the world get a victory in this contest, they return to test their luck.

Not surprisingly, from year to year, we recognise the names of the winners, as some have become real experts of the larines track, becoming the big favorites in the bets of this contest. This is the case of Julien Epaillard, who ended up in first place in five different tests in the edition of 2015, and another two in 2009. The French rider was an individual European champion in 1996, being runner-up in the same year, and bronze in the 1998 European competitions. He arrives in top form after recent victories this summer at the CSI3* Grand Prix at Knokke or the CSI5* Grand Prix in Paris, both tests riding Usual Suspect d'Auge, horse that will come this weekend to Casas Novas.
The Portuguese Luis Sabino Gonçalves has nothing to envy to the Frenchman, who has been placed at the top of the table in Casas Novas in more than one test in the years 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2014. The Portuguese is a very competitive rider with a lot of international experience and more than 30 tests won in the last two years. Recently he has won the CSI2* Vilamoura, as in the CSI2* of Pedras Salgadas and the CSIO3* of Lisbon.
Another great favorite is the Belgian Gudrun Pattet, who last year won the Longines Trophy, one of the star tests of the contest.The Belgian rider was runner-up by teams Europe in 2004 and earlier this month won the Knokke 5* Grand Prix with the same horse she won in 2016 and that one more year she will bring to Casas Novas. Egyptian Abdel Saïd was the winner of the NH Collection Trophy in 2016 and comes for the win after having won several tests at the internationals in Cascais, Lier, Monte Carlo and Windsor. This rider has participated in the world championship and has been silver and bronze by teams in the pan-Arab games.
Returning to the track this year is Marina Frutuoso, who also knows what it is to win at Casas Novas, doing it in the inaugural test of 2013. The Amazon has been 7 times champion of Portugal, and has competed in several European championships; she comes in a great state of form after recently winning a test in the CSIO3* Lisbon.
Ellen Whitaker, who, as her surname indicates, belongs to the equestrian world-known, Whitaker saga, won a test in 2006. His uncles and idols, John and Michael Whitaker, also have won at Casas Novas and this year she comes to test her luck again.

But although these riders are eager to reaffirm themselves as winners, this year the CSI4* A Coruña have a large participation of riders who have many ballots and come eager to take away this privilege.
The Italian Luca Maria Moneta, who has competed in European and world Championships, and that this year has already won at least 10 international tests, comes with an ace in the sleeve: Neptune Brecourt, mare with which he has won dozens of tests and is also one of the Grand Prix favorites.
Tiffany Foster, the Canadian Olympic who stayed very close to the team bronze medal in Rio, has extensive experience in World Championships and has team gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. He's coming off winning several tests at Calgary's 5* with the two horses she'll bring to Casas Novas.
The Brazilian Felipe Ramos Guinato, who was settled for a long time in Spain, arrives at his maximum splendor by winning the CSI2* Grand Prix of Vilamoura, Pedras Salgadas and Lisbon, riding the same horses that he will bring to Casas Novas. Uri Rosenzweig, the champion of chile who after the Sunshine Rout has culminated a great season in early July winning one of the tests and being third in the Great Prize of the CSI2 * of Santander; and The New Zealand Olympian Samantha Mcintosh who has participated in world championships on several occasions, and will try to overcome her own brand last year, where she won a third place in Casas Novas.

Among the Spanish riders who have a good season and have chances to achieve good results, we find Julio Arias, winner of the CSI3 * Grand Prix of Lummen; Kevin González de Zárate, recent winner of the CSI2* Santander Grand Prix; Leticia Riva, young rider who will be part of the Young Riders team in the European Championship or Luis Fernandez Gil-Fournier, the Spanish military champion.

Everything can happen in these competitions, and whether the expert riders of the arena of Casas Novas or any new name that finishes with the victory during this weekend, something that we have assured is a CSI4* A Coruña brimming with adrenaline and excitement.