Press release from Wellington International

Columbia’s Juan Manuel Gallego and Conbago galloped to victory in the Kingsland sponsored $39,000 CSI2* 1.45m during the final week of WEF. Gallego was up against a competitive field of sixty-four riders over Guilherme Jorge’s track looking to qualify for Sunday’s Kingsland CSI2* Grand Prix.

Conbago, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendros 2 x Baloubet De Rouet) owned by Equi-Sport, LLC, exceeded Gallego’s expectations by delivering the quickest jump-off time of 34.94 seconds. Right on their tail came Marie Hecart (FRA) aboard Edonna D’Udine finishing on a 36.46 second time. Stella Buckingham (USA) and Elien wrapped up the top three with a jump-off time of 36.46 seconds.

Gallego led the nine-horse jump-off from start to finish. “The seven strides in the first round was a little slow so I thought I would take a risk in the jump-off by leaving one stride out,” he said. “When I came into the jump-off and saw the Liverpool was a narrow oxer, I decided to take another risk and we were fast over the last part of the course. My horse is incredibly careful, so it all worked out.”

Before Gallego got the ride on Conbago, the gelding jumped up to the 1.40m level in Europe. “We always had some minor issues here and there that would keep us from jumping clear rounds, but today we made it and I’m incredibly proud of this horse,” said Gallego, who describes Conbago as a careful and competitive athlete with so much try and heart.