Beatriz Ferrer-Salat Is Back and on a Winning Streak at 2023 CDI3* Las Cadenas

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2023 CDI Camarma de Esteruelas

--- Text and Photos © Lily Forado

On 11 - 14 May 2023 equestrian centre Las Cadenas in Camarma de Estertuelas near Madrid hosted the last domestic CDI before the 2023 Spanish Dressage Championships. During these four days, the audience witnessed all types of weather scenarios: intermittent gusts of wind, rain, and scorching sun.

The facilities presented certain changes compared to last season, such as a grass floor in the restaurant area. However, as far as the stands for the spectators are concerned, there is a clear lack of space and places in the shade.

Regarding sport, the judging in the young horses classes was like the weather: a constant change of scores. The first day, there was a great collection of 80%, but on the final day, there was a great oscillation of points, with several horses posting a difference of eight points. More or less is not the question, but shouldn't there be similar judging from day one to day two? This competition was very important, because a big artillery of PREs horses showed in order to obtain the scores for the qualification process for the World Championships of Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo in August.

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat is Back

With 10 fewer entries than last year, the 3* Grand Prix generated a lot of expectation. On the one hand, there was the international return of Tokyo Olympic mount Elegance and on the other, there was excitement for seeing the new emerging promises.

In the Grand Prix, the weather did not help at all. As if we were in the Sahara, the gusts of wind were very rush. It was very uncomfortable for both rider and horse. After a one year break due to an injury, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat was back on track with Elegance (by Negro x Monaco) . She faced the central line and with her focus “on” and rode stride by stride. The horse's tension due to the wind was noticeable, but Beatriz used her magic, her expertise and tried to correct everything she could in the face of adversity. The little whoops in the tempi diagonals had an impact on their final score of 70.370%.

The second position with 69.544% went to one of the great prospects of the PRE breed, the 11-year old Poeta de Susaeta (by Cacique IX x Oficial XXIX) under the saddle of Guillermo García Ayala. The black stallion, who was Small Tour Champion in 2021, made his debut this year at Grand Prix level. The podium was closed by Juan Antonio Jiménez with his second mount, the 9-year old Hanoverian Quartar (by Quantensprung), with 69.283%.

Grand Prix Special for Early Birds

The early birds and loyal fans were on spot to see the Grand Prix Special that started on Sunday at 8:30 am. Thirteen riders fought for top honour. Combination after combination, the emotion went in crescendo. Beatriz faced the GPS with a voracious appetite . With the impressive focus and security of Beatriz, the Tokyo Olympic finalist chained exercise after exercise with great harmony. Elegance honours his name in the arena. The piaffe and passage were marvelous, the rhythm was accurate as an exquisite Swiss precision clock. There was complete unanimity from the jury in her number one spot, but a huge difference of six % points between them, with 78,936% being the highest score and 72,447% the lowest. Her final score was 75.149%

Claudio Castilla rode his third mount, the 14-year old Hanoverian Sardon de Adama de Susa (by Sandro Hit x Wordly). If Lario de Adama de Susa and Hi-Rico Do Sobral are his two big bets this year, Sardon has earned respect in this show. The son of Sandro Hit presented one of the best piaffes of the class after Elegance. Smashing a personal best of 70,106%, his second place was one of the big surprises.

The trio of champions was closed by Poeta de Susaeta. The pearl of the Yeguada Susaeta brood farm hypnotizes, not only with its beauty, but also with its quality of gaits. Guillermo Garcia Ayala presents the stallion better and better and knows how to highlight every point of the horse. This stallion has just taken off at this level and his journey in the Grand Prix will be one to watch. His third place was with 69,489%.

Ones to look for

The fourth position went to one of the combinations that is on everyone's lips in Spain. Lucia Gallardo, who already has extensive mileage at GP level with Symphonie, is now starting again with her new promise Hip By Johnson (by Johnson x Negro). The 11-year old Dutch warmblood Hip by Johnson has impressive power in the hindquarters. The quality of the collected movements is jaw-dropping. The power of the extended trot contrasts with the subtle delicacy of the energetic passage and piaffe. With a lot of room for improvement, this rookie does not disappoint at all. The final score was 69.489%.

The top five was closed by Juan Antonio Jiménez who season by season present new horses on the highest level. With Quartar he scored a 69.021

Small Tour Impressions

Last but not least, in the Small Tour, the first assault was led by Juan Matute Guimon, who continues his professional career with good results aboard Margaret Carrera's 7-year old Dutch warmblood Lexus (by Vivaldi x Ferro). The rider from Madrid scored 70.490%.

The Intermediate I was won by the Colombian rider Maria Aponte, who relocated to Jordi Domingo's yard in Spain in February. This decision has paid off. This is her second international victory with the 13-year old Hanoverian Lord of The Dance (by Londontime x Gelria). Maria is gearing up for the 2023 Pan American Games. Her winning score at Las Cadenas was 70.059%.

Spanish Nationals Coming Up

In three weeks Spanish dressage enthusiasts will not miss the big show on the agenda: the Spanish Championships on 1 - 4 June 2023

This year Spain will battle for one of three team tickets for Paris 2024 at the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck in September. The Spanish Nationals is the first official team selection and observation moment.

The entry list already has 30 combinations in Grand Prix. It’s going to be very exciting. Will a PRE repeat history and get a spot on the top 3 podium like last year? Will Bea continue her legacy and win her 10th national title? We will see.. stay tuned.