Santiago Ortiz Díez Wins 2023 Mexican Grand Prix Championships

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2023 Mexican Dressage Championships

For the third year in a row, Santiago Ortiz Díez won the Grand Prix Championship at the 2023 Mexican Dressage Championships held on 1 - 2 December 2023. The event was well attended by athletes and spectators.

"Mexico hosted four CDIs this year alone, as selection trials for regional games and in an effort to expand its base of juniors, young riders, U25, and young horses," said a spokesperson of Dressage Mexico. "Some pairs showcased their talents internationally this past year and they will try to keep growing the sport next year as well with the advise of Mariette Wittahges."

Third in a Row

Santiago Ortiz Díez won the Grand Prix (65.761%) and the Grand Prix freestyle (69.813%) to claim the National Senior Championship title for the third year in a row. This year he rode the 14-year old Danish warmblood mare Bogha (by Don Romantic x Milan), owned by his sister, Marina Ortiz. It was a busy year for Ortiz, who competed at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games on the 15-year old KWPN gelding Dagasus (by Painted Black) and at the 2023 Pan American Games with the 12-year old Lusitano Gentil (by Altivo x Pagode).

Santiago started riding Bogha as a three-year-old, then was further produced by another rider before Marina bought her. "There were a lot of things to fix, but I always believed in her and I was convinced that in the end Santiago and her will be a good match," said Marina said.

Enrique Palacios finished in the silver medal position aboard the 12-year old American bred KWPN-NA gelding Tinto (by Bodyguard x Don Lauries Hit), a horse he has trained since he was a youngster. Tinto is currently owned by Marcela Guajardo, who has been sponsoring Enrique for many years. He scored 64.728% in the Grand Prix and 65.213% in the Kur.

The bronze medal went to the third starter in the big tour division, Enrique Pina aboard Sir Cedrik H, an 18-year old Oldenburg by Sir Donnerhall x Waldsee. He scored 61.848% in the Grand Prix and 64.563% in the Kur.

Quintana and Nieto

In medium tour the only rider was Carlos Nieto, a Spanish rider based in Guadalajara who presented two horses in this division. He rode TS I (pedigree and horse info unknown) as well as Hubertus Schmidt's former Grand Prix horse Beryll (by Benetton Dream x Wie Weltmeyer). With TS 1 he scored 66.765% in the Inter II (1st) and 70.125% in the Inter A/B Kur (2nd). Beryll posted 66.030% and 70.788%

The title at small tour level went to Mariana Quintana on the Mexican bred PRE Junco MOR (by Zurique x Junco). She won the Prix St Georges with 68.236% and placed second in the Intermediaire I freestyle with 70.975%.