Michael Pender claims victory in the CSIO Barcelona Grand Prix

The second day of the CSIO Barcelona set the stage for Irish rider Michael Pender’s triumph in the prestigious 1.60m Grand Prix of the City of Barcelona, designed by Olympic course designer Santiago Varela.

Riding HHS Calais, Pender outclassed the competition, completing the jump-off in an extraordinary time, the only rider to break the 51-second barrier, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.

The competition featured 43 horse-rider pairs, of which only 12 qualified for the jump-off. However, it was Michael Pender who had the upper hand, finishing almost a full second ahead of Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, riding Zuccero Hv, who took second place.

To complete the podium, Spain’s Armando Trapote, riding Tornado Vs, finished in third position after leading for much of the jump-off.

The Grand Prix Top Five:

1. Michael Pender on HHS Calais – 50.88 sec – 99,000 EUR
2. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson on Zuccero Hv – 51.64 sec – 60,000 EUR
3. Armando Trapote on Tornado Vs – 51.78 sec – 45,000 EUR
4. Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward – 51.83 sec – 30,000 EUR
5. Stephan de Freitas Barcha on Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio – 54.16 sec – 18,000 EUR

Full results of the Grand Prix of the City of Barcelona can be found here

The award ceremony saw the participation of Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, who presented the winner’s trophy and was also honored with the Joaquín Calvo Trophy for his contribution to promoting Barcelona as a stage for major international sporting events.

Photo: ©Nacho Olano / RCPB | Source: Oxer Sport press release Press Office CSIO Barcelona

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