As last to go in the jump-off, Brazil’s Pedro Veniss snatched the victory in Sunday’s CSI2* Grand Prix presented by CHG in the second week of the Autumn MET 2018. 

The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour’s 2018 autumn edition has some of the world’s very best on the start list, and Sunday’s Grand Prix was no exception with Scott Brash (GBR), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Ben Maher (GBR) – last weekend’s Grand Prix winner – all ready to compete in the Oliva Nova grass ring over Peter Schumacher’s track. The course designer had put up thirteen fences, including a combination and a triple combination – and nine of the 61 pairs in the class managed to produce clear rounds to move on to the jump-off. 

Amongst the strong field of riders, it was Veniss – ranked as no. 51 in the world – that was the best today, when taking the top honours in the €30.000 Grand Prix counting for the Longines Ranking. Riding For Felicila (For Pleasure x Espri), Veniss – who also won Friday’s world ranking class with Anaya St Hermelle (Andiamo x Paladin des Ifs) – came in as last to go in the nine horse-jump off, shaving off 0.43 seconds  on Nuno Tiago Gomes’ leading time pushing the Portuguese rider and his gelding Disco (Numero Uno x Corland) down to runner-up position. Third place went to Belgium’s Constant Van Paesschen on Carlow van de Helle (Caretino 2 x Corofino 2), 0.72 seconds behind the winning time.

For Veniss, it was double joy in Oliva Nova today as Nuno Tiago Gomes – who finished second – has been training with the winner himself for the last three months. “Nuno Tiago Gomes has been based and working with me in Barcelona for the last three months, and I was already very happy about his round when I went in the ring,” Veniss said. “My plan was to try to go a little bit faster everywhere, and it worked out – so it was a super day for our team!”

“For Felicila is a fantastic mare, and she always tries her best for me in the ring,” Veniss said of the For Pleasure-daughter that already has big wins from major venues like Spruce Meadows, Stuttgart and Chantilly on her record. “After the Autumn MET, she will be going to Doha to jump the last stage of the Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League together with Quabri de l’Isle.”

The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour is close to home for the Brazilian rider, who for the last year has had his base in Barcelona – only spending the summer months in Belgium. “It is super conditions here in Oliva Nova, both the horses and I really like it here,” a happy Veniss concluded. 

The Tour now takes a short break before it resumes with its second and last part, running from October 23rd to November 11th.