Reining Updates
REINING WEEKLY UPDATES - 2011-2013
Final FEI Reining Event of 2012 FEI Competition Year is Also the Successful Inauguration for Argentina
16 December, 2012 – General Las Heras, Buenos Aires, Argentina – As the Argentine national hymn rang out over the Pampas, it was official: the inaugural FEI Reining events in this South American nation were highly successful, drawing competitors and officials representing eight nations. But it was the home athletes whose victory and anthem were the pride of Argentina at the completion of each Concours de Reining International.
The Haras Don Carlos Concours de Reining International (CRI*/CRI*) were a thriving start of the FEI Reining tradition in Argentina while also ending the global year-long schedule of FEI Reining competitions for 2012 and helping to make final the prestigious year-end FEI Ranking list. Once calculated and posted by the FEI headquarters, the sport will celebrate its top ranked rider for the year.
At the event, beautiful summer days for the weekend and organizers, along with title sponsor and host of the event, Haras Don Carlos predicted the start of a sustained effort. And showing the athlete’s preparedness for international competition, all competing horses were accepted at the horse inspection and advanced to the two scheduled CRI’s on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Rising to the top of the podium for the gold medal position on the first CRI on Saturday with a score of 71 was Claudecir Peralta, riding for Argentina aboard Estancia San Pedro Norte’s Play To Shine. In silver medal position and back by only the slimmest of margins, a half of a point, SM A Smart Jr is owned by Coguaike and was shown by Nestor Legizamon, also riding for Argentina.
The show is additionally held concurrently with two American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judged events simultaneously over the weekend. The synergy between the two dually held sets of classes worked perfectly in the event schedule allowing for a robust set of showcase opportunities for South America’s best Quarter Horses and Reining Horses – often the same horses winning titles in confirmation and pleasure riding. It was an incredible showcase of the versatility of an excellent Reining horse.
The second CRI, held on Sunday brought improved scores and the excitement of stiff competition as each rider took a second opportunity to find the podium. Winning the first place and top score was proud young Argentine athlete Jeronimo Leal Lobo showing Downtown Dixie for owners Catemu to an incredible score of 145 (the second CRI was scored by two FEI judges with combined scores). This high score set a benchmark that was a full five points ahead of the next competitor and brought reactions of excitement and emotion from the nationals cheering on their top athletes. The crowd was electrified through the maneuvers and when the scores were finally announced. In second place of the same competition was the champion of the first day, Claudecir Peralta, once again on Play to Shine, earning a very respectable score of 140 for their efforts.
Vital to the qualification process for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), riders from across South America compete in hopes of gaining the compulsory scores, necessary for the increasingly intense effort to make their respective national Reining teams for the much anticipated 2014 WEG.
The event was beautiful organized by hosting sponsor Haras Don Carlos and was highly supported by the Argentina national federation, the Federacion Equestre de Argentina (FEA). The two entities worked hand-in-hand to ensure that the first event FEI Reining event in Argentina would bring the kind of success that will translate to many more to come. Congratulations to the organizers and all of the athletes, officials and horse owners from around the world in making the Haras Don Carlos Concours de Reining International an overwhelming success.
For more information on Haras Don Carlos, click on: www.HarasDonCarlos.com
For more information on reining activities in Argentina, contact the Federacion Equestre de Argentina (FEA): www.fedecuarg.com.ar
PAST UPDATES (for references)
- REINING WEEK 51 - 2011
- REINING WEEK 21/b - 2011
- REINING WEEK 21 - 2011
- REINING WEEK 20 - 2011
- REINING WEEK 16 - 2011
