Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze Speed to Victory in $32,000 IDA Development Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*

*^{Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography}*

Ocala, FL – The $32,000 IDA Development Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* kicked off Thursday morning at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) with 23 horse-and-rider combinations representing eight nations competing for the top prize.

Manuel Esparaza designed the track that allowed for a 12-horse jump-off, where Venezuela’s Luis Larrazabal ultimately dominated with Driss Ngadi’s, Belle De Muze by Pensee V x Lando.

*^{Luis Larrazabal, his wife, and his kids, posing with Belle De Muze as they accept their first-place awards. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography}*

Larrazabal returned first for the jump-off aboard Octavia vd Bisschop (Kannan x Berlin), owned by Victoria Heurtematte, laying down a quick effort that resulted in a four-fault score. He later returned on Belle De Muze, this time delivering a lightning-fast performance that proved untouchable, stopping the clock in 36.66 seconds.

*^{Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze racing to first. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography}*

The speedy 15-year-old mare has become a trusted partner for Larrazabal, “We’ve been together for two and a half years already. We know each other inside out, and every time I have an opportunity in the jump-off with her, I just commit to my plan. I don’t worry about the competition, and she does her job.”

“The course was nice—challenging enough for a CSI2*. The triple combination came early, and then there were a couple of questions throughout. Rails came down all over, so it made for a solid qualifier ahead of Saturday night’s class,” Larrazabal commented on the track.

Larrazabal set the tone for Saturday night’s $65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI2* where he will return aboard both mounts.

Michael Murphy (USA) piloted South Coast’s 10-year-old Warmblood mare Kaida CM (Kannan x Indoctro) to a faultless jump-off round in 37.57 seconds to secure second place.

*^{Michael Murphy and Kaida CM jumping to second. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography}*

Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) and Georgina de Carles, a nine-year-old mare by Kannan owned by La Cuadra Stables, LLC, rounded out the top three with a smooth effort in 38.71 seconds.