“Two weeks ago, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to do this horse in this big Grand Prix,” confessed Germany’s Richard Vogel.
The entire Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season at Wellington International has been leading up to an epic finale; the $500,000 Rolex CSI5* Grand Prix. The star-studded start list saw 40 riders tap their top horses to contest the Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed track. While Vogel has had a successful season with Cepano Baloubet to date, highlighted by their CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 win, it’s reasonable to suggest the pair were underdogs leading up the last ‘Saturday Night Lights’ of 2023.
The first round gave way to a seven combination jump-off, where Vogel was dealt the less than favorable position of second to start. Vogel, however, effectively weighed the risks, deciding exactly where along the track he needed to be conservative and where he could push the envelope.
“[Cepano Baloubet] is only nine-years-old and not experienced at all. This is his first 5* Grand Prix so I was delighted to even be in the jump-off. My plan was not to risk too much, but also to put the pressure on the ones coming after me so they had to risk a bit more to be faster,” said 26-year old Vogel.
Not only was it the gelding’s 5* Grand Prix debut, but prior to Saturday night’s effort Cepano Baloubet had only jumped two rounds at 1.60m. Yet trust surged as they cleared jump after jump, following a blistering foot speed through the timers in 40.53 seconds.
Vogel watched the following five rounds in anticipation, and to his delight discovered they turned up the pressure cooker plenty enough. All but Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and 15-year-old stallion Dez’ Ooktoff collected rails in an effort to catch them, but even they couldn’t come close to matching the time. Over nine seconds slower, Tafur would have to settle for second position. Betram Allen (IRL) and Pacino Amiro landed in third with four faults and 40.6 seconds on the clock.
Allen and 11-year-old gelding Pacino Amiro took quite a few wins throughout WEF, including the CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 8. Third place is a respectable close out the season, though bittersweet for the competitive young rider.
“He jumped fantastic tonight, probably the best of the circuit, and it’s a big disappointment to get that close to winning a Rolex Grand Prix because there’s not that many chances you get to be that close,” said Allen.
As for Vogel, who didn’t enter the class with any certain expectations, he’s still processing his emotions.
“He felt really good and then we thought, ‘we’re here and he’s in very good shape so let’s give it a try,’ and he was amazing…I’m overwhelmed,” said Vogel.
Cepano Baloubet is one of the youngest horses in the class, but in some ways jumping at the top level with Vogel was a long time coming. And, the determination of his team in keeping them together.
“I first rode this horse when he was six, and not too long after the horse came to our stable with the same owner and we were able to produce him. In January, [Veronica and Molly Tracy] purchased the horse for me to keep it in the stable, so I’m lucky to have such good owners and so much trust in those people,” said Vogel.
Since then, they’ve achieved an impressive 55% clear round and 55% top ten finish average at 1.50m, according to Jumpr App. For Vogel, these numbers reflect valuable experience.
“Wellington has been very good to us. We’ve had a great season. Our horses jumped very well and gained a lot of experience also, so yeah it was a super season,” said Vogel.
Now, Cepano Baloublet’s schedule includes plenty of grazing as he enjoys a well deserved break. Vogel, however, can’t afford to lose any steam as he heads into next week’s FEI World Cup Final™ in Omaha. He couldn’t arrive in Nebraska on a better note.
