Thirty-five horse and rider teams representing six countries competed on the gorgeous grass field at the Leon Equestrian Club Thursday, as the Ban Bajio Classic, CSI4*-W presented the $610,000 ($32,000+ U.S.) Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 1.50m qualifier for Saturday’s highlight event. With fourteen clean, Francisco Pasquel and Coronado (Cassini I x Acord II) did not miss a beat in the jump-off to take the win. 

The serene setting created the ideal stage for International course designer Anderson Lima of Mexico to test riders aiming for a piece of the prize as well as a chance to compete in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Leon in two days time. After watching the first few finish well under the original 79 second time allowed, Lima chose to tighten the time to 77 seconds, resulting in three entries with only one time penalty.  A strong field of thirteen returned for the jump-off, as Jordan Coyle chose not to return against the clock on Eristov (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Concorde).

Adding a touch of excitement early in the class, Chaccoubet’s (Chacco Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) tremendous effort from the base of the penultimate obstacle left pilot Mario Onate a bit loose in the tack;  however he managed to hang on through the final jump and hit the ground just on the other side of the timers. Their score of six faults, one rail and two time, gives them a chance to return on Saturday. 

With four of the six countries represented in the jump-off, the Mexican riders dominated the list and the competition was fierce. Jumping sixth in the order, Francisco Pasquel aboard his gray 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding Coronado, blazed through the jump-off track, taking tidy turns, and stopping the clock double clean in 36.27 seconds. The speedy pair took the lead and put the pressure on the remaining competitors. Returning directly after Pasquel, Andres Torres and Chabacon (Chacco Blue x Baloubet du Rouet)) came in an impressive second place, clean in 36.51s, while first to go Patricio Pasquel and Babel (Billy du Lys x High Flyer) finished third in 37.77s. 

Pasquel knew he had his brother’s solid time to beat plus several fast riders would follow him. “My plan was to go smooth in the beginning… after that I could go for it. So, I went totally diagonal to the boat [midway through the jump-off] and took the first distance at the double. Then I think I was the first one to do seven strides to the last vertical.” 

This pair won the 1.50m at the Triple Copa Scappino, CSI4*-W in Guadalajara as well, but Pasquel rode his other top mount, Naranjo (Robin II Z x Quappa HN), in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™class two weeks ago. Quite pleased with Coronado’s performance, he has decided to reward him with the chance to return on Saturday. 

Playing a significant role in bringing these top quality FEI events to Mexico, Pasquel worked with experts to make this field here at The Leon Equestrian Club the best it can be, and it shows. 

“The same person who helped us get the grass to the top level for the Global Champions Tour worked on this field for a year. It couldn’t be better. I’m so impressed with how it bounces, holds and how it gives,” Pasquel said, “It is a top, top show. I’m really grateful that the FEI believed in us and gave us a World Cup™event at this venue.”  

The Ban Bajio Classic, CSI 4*-W, continues through Sunday, February 10th, 2019.  The event features the inaugural Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™Leon on Saturday, February 9th, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. Central time.