Chris Surbey & Cavalora. Ph. SIHS/Alden Corrigan
Christopher Surbey picked up a great win on Friday evening aboard a talented 9-year-old when he was best in the $36,500 Murieta Inn, Spa & Restaurant CSI3* 1.45m speed at the Sacramento International Horse Show in Sacramento, California USA.
The Canadian rides for Spruce Meadows and was aboard the Spruce Meadows-owned Cavarola, a KWPN mare (Corland x Wellington) that stepped into CSI competition this year. Bred in The Netherlands, Surbey competed with Cavarola at a few CSI2* over the summer in Europe, and jumped to a strong, top ten finish last week in the challenging Longines Speed Challenge CSI5* at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles.
Needless to say, Surbey was thrilled with his horse on Friday. Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge is building the tracks for CSI3* competition at Sacramento, and his Friday feature class attracted 33 starters.
Of those, just nine managed a clear round, with plenty of four-faultitis striking amongst the accomplished riders on the start list. Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes had the winning time with Caruschka but fell to 10th place with a rail down. Jessica Springsteen with Davendy S and Georgina Bloomberg with Caleno were quick over the ground, but each pulled a single rail.
At the top, Surbey and Cavarola finished their clear round in 59.60 seconds. Up and comer Hillary McNerny placed 2nd with Z Acodate Ddl in 60.66 seconds, and Germany’s Guido Klatte Jr. was 3rd aboard Coolio in 60.75 seconds. All three of the top finishing riders fall into the under-30 age group; 21-year-old Klatte is the current European Young Riders Individual Champion.
Veteran star Richard Spooner placed 4th with Chivas Z, and Uma Oneill finished in 5th aboard Clockwise of Greenhill Z.
Qualified riders are now gearing up to compete in Saturday evening’s World Cup Jumping Sacramento CSI3*-W, a crucial stop on the Longines FEI North American League qualifying circuit. The class will be livestreamed via FEItv.