Luis Larrazabal Strikes Again in $32k Dodd Technologies CSI5* 1.45m

Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Belle de Muze. Photo © Sportfot

Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) ended Week 6 with a win and opened the Lugano-sponsored Week 7 with a win at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), kicking off the second of four total CSI5* competitions throughout the 13-week series at Wellington International.

Aboard Belle de Muze, owned by Driss Ngadi, Larrazabal was the very last in the ring and sped to a win over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s (USA) two-phase track in the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI5* 1.45m. After two consecutive wins, Larrazabal is riding a high.

“It gives me a lot of confidence for what is coming,” he said about his wins over the past week, which started in the Hermès CSI3* 1.50m Classic on Saturday. “It’s a big week for me. I’m jumping Condara in the five-star grand prix, and it’s nice to start on the right foot.”

Larrazabal knew the caliber he was up against and felt he had the right partner for the occasion in Belle de Muze.

“This mare has incredible talent,” he said of the 15-year-old Selle Français by Pensee V, his partner for the past two years. “She’s so fast in the ring. This was a nice class for her, because 1.45m is very easy for her. I didn’t watch anybody, because when I see people go fast, I want to go even faster. But with this mare, if you’re pedal to the metal, you’re going to go faster than that. I do my best with her and try to stay out of her way. We got lucky again.”

Larrazabal edged out McLain Ward (USA) with his veteran First Lady, owned by Robin Parsky, settling them into second place. Richard Vogel (GER) claimed third with Viva Las Vegas W.

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