American Bred PRE Guateque IV Wins at 2019 CDI Leudelange

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2019 CDI Leudelange

On 9 - 11 July 2019 the CDI4 * Leudelange in Luxembourg was the international focus for dressage and the debut venue for a brand new combination: Spanish Grand Prix Rider Juan Matute and new companion Guateque IV, bred and owned by American Coves Darden.

Previously shown in the U.S. by Stacey Hastings and Katie Poag, Guateque IV moved into training with Juan Matute Guimin in April 2019. They officially debuted as a pair in the European circuit at the CDI of CECYL (Segovia), earning consistent scores of 68%. Two months later, the symbiosis between rider and horse continued to improve and the results paid off.

A total of 13 riders made the list of Prix St Georges. Juan Matute performed his test with great harmony. The highlights were without a doubt the changes he performed every fourth and three strides, performing better each time. He received several seven and a half (7.5) scores from the judges. Likewise, the lateral exercises in the trot, specifically the shoulder in received scores of eights (8). Juan and Guateque IV exceeded their own record. Their score was 69,912, which placed the duo in second place.

On Sunday 7 July the Intermediaire I opened the final competition day. With very little to lose and much to gain, the rider from Madrid with his P.R.E mount made a test with great technical precision. The trot and canter extensions received several sevens (7) beating their own personal record and overcoming the famous 70% barrier. Juan Matute and Guateque IV scored an 70,265, thus being their golden score.

The rider’s expertise was the key factor in the execution of all the exercises. The European victory of a horse bred and raised on American soil is quite a milestone and a stimulus that shows that the P.R.E is a competitive horse.

Juan Matute, being very happy with his results, commented:
Today’s results demonstrate the evolution and trajectory of Guateque IV and I. Overcoming the 70% barrier is always the challenge for any rider, especially with a P.R.E competing outside of Spain. The level of riders and horses that were in this category was very high, but at the end it has been shown that it is not only a matter of the quality of gaits, but about technique, not making mistakes and performing a beautiful presentation. This is, at the end, how points are earned.

For me it was a challenge to compete in this show with a P.R.E. The fact of winning with Guateque IV is quite a feat. For the breeder Coves Darden, it was an honor with pride that a horse, born and raised in the United States, won in this European show. I received very positive comments from the judges, and I think the horse has a lot of potential on GP.”