Colombia Kicks Off Qualification Season at 2026 CDI Medellin

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2026 CDI Medellin

-- Text and photos © Carmen Franco

The growth of dressage in Colombia continues and for the first time in Colombia's history in the sport a 3* CDI was held in Medellin on 10 - 12 April 2026.

The third edition of the "Mountain Cup" took place at the Club Campestre Llanogrande in the Rionegro region of Antioquia. Who else but the “paisas” (as we call those of that region,who are recognized by their tenacity, drive, and tireless work) to join forces and carry out this monumental event.

International Ground Jury

Judges officiating in the young horse classes

Horse and rider combinations from all over the country gathered to compete in front five FEI judges and give their best in an arena beautifully decorated with cars, provided by main sponsor Autoland – Ford, pots with Colombian plants, and letters made of flowers in accordance with the tradition of the “silleteros, the Flower Fair typical of that region.

Maribel Alonso (MEX – Level 4), Gabriel Armando (ARG – Level 3), Marian Cunningham (PER – Level 3), Christine Prip (DEN – Level 3) and Cindi Rose Wylie (USA – Level 2) were in charge of evaluating and guiding the riders with their educational feedback and positive attitude. Without a doubt, they enjoyed the hospitality, the beautiful landscapes and the delicious food, especially that of the La Causa restaurant that made a special (and spectacular) invitation to all the officials.

Things of Life

The CDI 3* was originally created to start qualifications for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2027 Pan American Games. Paradoxically, none of the Grand Prix horses were ready and they could not compete.

The Organizing Committee did not allow itself to be diminished by this condition and maintained the status of the CDI to be able to enjoy all the invited judges and logistics planned months in advance. We must not forget that in this sport it is the horse that dictates the times, there are no shortcuts that can be taken to get there faster.

For years, in Colombia there was a limit set to reach Small Tour. However, this changed for some time now, thanks to the vision of the Dressage Committee of the Colombian Equestrian Federation and the National Technical Advisor, the German Albrecht Heidemann. The economic power in our third world country is not enough to buy "made" horses and, fortunately, we have learned to reach the top with what we have.

With great pride we already see horses arriving at Medium and Big Tour well trained in Colombia. Despite not being able to have them in Llanogrande, we did have combinations from Children to Small Tour, including very good representatives of Young Horses.

Observation Event

The Small Tour served as an observation event for the Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in the Dominican Republic at the end of July this year with mixed levels of Small and Big Tour. The rider María Antonia Arango, aboard her Spanish mare Macarena, surprised by winning the Pr. St. Georges level with a clean, steady and harmonious test. Mariana England, with the talented mare Viva Vitalis, came back in form for the Intermediate I test, taking the honors of first place. In the Inter I Freestyle we had a new winner: Gabriela Arango with the beautiful Lusitano stallion Mambo.