Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and DSP Callas won the $31,100 Speed Classic CSI4* during week two of the Traverse City Spring Series at Flintfields Horse Park. Photo © Natalie Suto Photography.
Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows, edited by World of Showjumping
Colombia’s Roberto Teran Tafur is in his element going fast, and that’s exactly what earned him the win on Friday at Traverse City Spring 2 as he topped the $31,100 CSI4* Speed. With DSP Callas, a mare he’s campaigned at the highest levels for the past few years, his time was untouchable, putting him atop the podium as the class concluded. “When I have a fast horse, that's my favorite,” Teran said. “I love going fast and it's very exciting.”
His round was both fast and exciting. Teran was only third in the order of go, but he had already seen one blazing-fast round put in by Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) and Katniss du val Geer (For Pleasure x Kannan). He was confident he could end up in the top three if he rode a round similar to what he’d seen.
“I did a couple of leave-outs to the combinations,” he said about his strategy over Meghan Rawlins’ course. “I gambled a little to the double of verticals; the mare landed on the inside track so I went with it and trusted her and it worked.”
Roberto Teran Tafur accepts the winning honors in the $31,100 Speed Classic CSI4* aboard DSP Callas alongside Bradley Bowns of Traverse City Horse Shows. Photo © Natalie Suto Photography.
Coming home in 65.51 seconds, Teran was just barely faster than Goyoaga, who ended up second. Teran also had the last ride in the order of go and managed to get his second horse, Condara (Conthargos x Cartogran), into the top three as well, just a couple seconds behind his winning time.
DSP Callas (Casskeni II x Levistano) is now 14 years old and Teran believes she’s become a competitor that can jump any track at any level. She’s had a slower season this year but is building towards major events later in the fall in Traverse City.
“After [last] summer in Europe she had a few months off,” he remarked on her past year. “She was back in her first five-star last December and she’s getting better and better. Now I feel that she can be more consistent and competitive in a five-star grand prix anywhere.”
While his other top mount, Dez’ Ooktoff will jump Saturday’s $116,500 Turtle Creek & Casino Grand Prix, Teran feels fortunate to have multiple options for international events like these. He’ll continue to polish the jump-off skills with DSP Callas, hoping to soon get her to the top of a grand prix podium.
Competition comes to a head Saturday afternoon with the feature class of the week, the $116,500 Turtle Creek & Casino Grand Prix.
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