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

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. 

Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

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

Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze racing to first. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Luis Larrazabal and Belle De Muze. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Michael Murphy and Kaida CM jumping to second. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Luis Pedro Biraben and Georgina de Carles rounding out third. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

$32,000 IDA Development Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

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Named one of TIME’s 2024 World’s Greatest Places, World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property. Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.