Lorenzo De Luca Leads the Way in $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5*

The $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5* concluded with a win for Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) aboard Dirka De Blondel.
Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) made the most of the space in the large arena and set a track that challenged riders to come home clear in less than 83 seconds. As a one-round speed course, the class saw the lead change hands several times before settling on its final victor. Israel’s Ashlee Bond produced the tightest time early in the class with Contefina LVF, and it appeared that the pair would be the class victors but with eight left to contest, De Luca shaved off precious time to shake up the order.
The nine-year-old Selle Francais mare (Very Berlin De Castel x Lauterbach) is one of several that De Luca now pilots for Poden Farms, and he said the level of quality horses he has this winter has made it the best season yet.
Bond’s time of 64.26 seconds with Ashlee Bond Show Jumping’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contefino 2 x South Pacific) held strong for the second-place position out of the 61 entries. Carlos Hank Guerriero (MEX) and H5 Sport Horses LLC’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding H5 Chacco-San (Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy) slipped into third place by clocking in a clean round in 65.73 seconds.

HSJ

Photo Lorenzo De Luca pilots Dirka De Blondel to victory. © Sportfot
Equestrian Sport Productions – WEF Winter Equestrian Festival 2022