Cesar Almeida & Zojasper wins Longines Grand Prix Sao Paulo
Brazil’s Cesar Almeida secured a victory in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping South American League by winning the Longines Grand Prix of Sao Paulo with Zojasper, sold by Tal Milstein Stables.
After previously finishing runners-up at events in Curitiba in April and Rio de Janeiro last month, the Brazilian, riding Zojasper Imperio Egipcio, edged out José Roberto Reynoso Fernandez into second and Luiz Guilherme Ciampi in third to claim top spot on the podium.
Almeida’s win also maintains his lead at the top of the South American South League of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Standings with only two events to come.
A strong field of 34 horse and rider combinations came forward for the Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier in Sao Paulo, which saw twelve progress to the jump-off decider round with ten of those going through with clear rounds.
Having produced the third fastest fault-free effort in the first round, Almedia went double clear around the shortened course in a fine time of 42.81 seconds.
That time was enough to take top spot ahead of Fernandez in runners-up spot who riding Azreael W went clear in 43.24 seconds.
Ciampi riding Barbarian Imperio Egipcio was not far behind, also going clear in a time of 43.66 seconds.
Behind the podium finishers came Tiago Mesquita who riding Baptista also went clear in the jump-off round in a time of 45.42 seconds, as did Luiz F. Pimenta Alves on VDL Valdez Assolute R G in a time of 47.57 seconds.