This afternoon in Casas Novas, Guillaume Foutrier was awarded the first test of A Coruña CSI5*, the prize Engel&Völkers. The French rider led the classification for more than half of the test, 1.45 meters and under the scale of Fault & Time. Foutrier, with Tchin de la Tour, stopped the time at 62.69 seconds. Of a total of 41 participants, they were the fastest coupling of the 15 ones which managed to finish the round without failing.
The Italian Luca Maria Moneta, riding Neptune Brecourt, was the one who first had set the time to break in 62.72 seconds. And a brave Paola Amibilia ensured the Spanish presence on the podium by leading Chac Balou N to the 3rd position, with a clear round of 63.19 seconds, which was applauded by the audience. The fourth and fifth places were achieved by the Spanish Laura Roquet with Sandi Puigrog (63.19 seconds) and the British Laura Renwick, with Dublin V (65.32 seconds).
Another two Spanish riders, Manuel Fernández Saro y Gerardo Menéndez Mieres, also entered between the 10 top finishers. The penultimate test of the afternoon already showed an important entry in the winter centre of Casas Novas, where the spectators lived with excitement the evolutions of the couplings on the track. Thus, and in addition to the applause for the Spaniards, others, such as Denis Lynch, had the ‘coruñes’ audience eating out of his hand.
The Irish rider made his heart out to beat the clock in a fast and risky performance, which finally took him a waive from Dito and the corresponding loss of time. Nevertheless, the exciting reaction from the stands showed that A Coruña is looking for horse-riding and devote themselves to each competition.
The Prize Massimo Dutti, which starts at 20.10h, will be the second test of the day in the 5* contest, and the one which will close today’s programme. After the awards ceremony, an equestrian show by Santi Serra will be held.