Press release from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour 

The 2024 MET-season concluded in the best possible way on Sunday afternoon with double Spanish on top of the podium in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix Trofeo CHG, as Ismael Garcia Roque and Byblos d'Elle (Niagara d'Elle x Richebourg) finished first followed by Pedro Fernando Mateos Rodriguez and Quizas CC (Kannan x Guile Rock XX) in second on behalf of the host nation.

This was the last competition of the year at the Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain, and out of a starting field of 58 horse-and-rider combinations, eight returned to the jump-off after producing clears over Louis Konickx’s thirteen-fence track. However, it was not until Penelope Leprevost (FRA) went in as the fourth starter in the jump-off with Djagger Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Apache d'Adriers) that a double clear was delivered – with the French Olympic team gold medallist recording a time to beat of 40.83 seconds. One rider later, Pedro Fernando Mateos Rodriguez shaved off 2.25 seconds on Leprevost’s time – taking over the lead and putting pressure on the remaining two riders. While Laura Renwick (GBR) and Enjoy CK Z (Echo Van'T Spieveld x Coronado) gave it a good shot they were not fast enough this time around, finishing 0.78 seconds behind the time to beat and slotting in just behind Pedro Fernando Mateos Rodriguez.

As last to go Ismael Garcia Roque had a prime position, and with a lightning-fast round the Spanish rider managed to push the time down to 38.02 seconds – 0.56 seconds faster than his compatriot, pushing Pedro Fernando Mateos Rodriguez down to second and Laura Renwick to third.

“The jump-off was very fast, so I just went in and did my best,” Ismael Garcia Roque said about his strategy. “My horse was really good today, so I tried to go for the win. It worked out, so I am really happy!”

“He is a super horse, very brave and careful,” Ismael Garcia Roque said of his winning mount Byblos d'Elle, that he has been campaigning shortly over the two last weeks of Autumn MET III. “He has already won a team silver medal at this year’s European Championships for juniors, and also has a silver medal from the Spanish Championships for juniors,” he told of the 13-year-old gelding.  

“In my opinion, everything is perfect in Oliva!” the happy winner said. “The venue is really good for the horses, it’s a very nice place to compete and on top the weather is normally super.”

The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour now takes a break, and returns with its spring edition in January with Spring MET I running from 14 January to 2 February 2025, followed by Spring MET II, III and IV between 11 February to 2 March, 11 to 30 March and 8 to 27 April.