International Dressage Competition Resumes in Mexico with 2022 CDI San Miguel Ameyalco

International dressage competition returned to Mexico with a CDI "Copa El Camino" hosted at San Miguel Ameyalco after an absence of three years. In the lead up to the 2023 Central American and Pan American Games, the Mexican Dressage Committee is making great effort to enthuse riders for competition sport. 

Mexico hopes to stage three CDI's in 2023 in preparation of those all important Games. 

Struggling to Take Flight

The last CDI staged in Mexico dates back to June 2019 and was held in Guadalajara. With international dressage sport struggling to take flight in Mexico, the CDI San Miguel Ameyalco on  1 - 4 November 2022 was a welcome reprise. 

In 2017 one CDI was held, but in 2018 with the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, on stake, no less than three internationals were held in Mexico City at the Estado Mayor Presidencial. In 2019 there were a further three events, but the corona pandemic and the consistent low amount of FEI level riders took away all air from under the Mexican wings. 

All Saints Weekend

The 2022 San Miguel Ameyalco took place during All Saints weekend, celebrated in Mexico as the "Dios Los Muertes" and this theme was used throughout the competition to create a festive atmosphere. 

The big tour competition featured two riders and four combinations. The 37-year old Santiago Ortiz brought along no less than three Grand Prix horses, but it was his 11-year old Lusitano Gentil SS (Altivo SQT x Pagode) with whom he scored a double victory. Owned by Adan Alberto Benavides Jones, Gentil SS scored 64.717% in the Grand Prix and 70.330% in the freestyle. The big tour was judged by an international panel featuring Thomas Kessler (GER), Omar Zayrik (MEX), Sandra Hotz (USA), Sandra Smith (ARG), and Maribel Alonso (MEX).

Mexican routinier Enrique Palacios was second in the Grand Prix aboard the 11-year old American bred Dutch warmblood Tinto (by Bodyguard x Don Lauris Hit). They scored 64.522% in the Grand Prix, but retired in the Special. 

The Special was won by Santiago Ortiz aboard the 14-year old Danish warmblood mare Bogha (by Don Romantic x Milan), owned by Santiago’s sister Marina Ortiz Diez. They scored a winning 63.149% in the Special after earning 62.913% in the Grand Prix. 

Fourteen in the Small Tour

The small tour division brought afoot no less than 14 pairs for the Prix St Georges. 

The young Mexican rider Sol Montejano Quiñones surprised everyone winning the Prix St Georges as well as the Intermediaire I aboard Abelardo Morales' 17-year old PRE stallion Lenin MOR (by Corsario IV x Ermitano III). She posted 64.235% in the Prix St Georges and 63.206% in the Inter I. 

5-Year Olds Classes

A small division for 5-year olds was also held, featuring three pairs. 

Carolina Cordoba and Alonso Mena Samano's Oldenburg bred De Pertinance (by Delatio x Relevant) were the clear winners with 76.00 in the preliminary test and 78.80 in the Finals test.The black Oldenburg was purchased by Samano at the 2021 Hof Kasselmann Online auction. 

The runner-up was Mariana Talavera Gomez aboard Francisco Talavera's PRE bred Abogado de Tal (by Honrrado JAQ x Cazurro VI). They got 72.80 and 70.80.

Photos ©  Marion P Cox

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Scores: 2022 CDI San Miguel Ameyalco