Wellington, FL – February 27, 2013 – G&C Farm is proud to sponsor week 8 of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. The CSIO 4* week includes the presenting sponsorship of the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup,™ the $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake, and a FEI world ranking 1.45m class. G&C Farm is also the sponsor of the 1.45m Jumper division throughout the 12-week circuit.
Established by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela in 2009, G&C Farm in Wellington, Florida, is a state-of-the-art, full-service show jumping facility dedicated to supporting the dreams and passions of its riders at the highest level of international competition.
“It’s very nice to be sponsoring the international week again,” says G&C Farm owner Gustavo Mirabal. “With the Puissance and Nations Cup and the Junior Nations Cup, it will be fantastic for everyone. This year the Junior Nations Cup is very exciting where young riders can see their heroes, then ride in the same arena.”
Basketball great Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games but teamwork wins championships.” For the Mirabals, elevating the sport of show jumping involves not only assembling a great team, but supporting each member to realize their potential.
Gustavo Mirabal explains, “The team is very important for us. People see the horse and the rider, but behind that is a lot of work starting with the grooms, the farrier, the vet and the people in the office. To have success at G&C, it’s important for me to take care of everyone.”
Luis Fernando Larrazabal from Venezuela and Mark Bluman from Colombia have both ridden with G&C Farm since its inception and are now the farm’s full-time riders. They are placing well in classes and grand prix and will both be competing for their native countries in the Nations Cup.
Looking to expand to Europe, G&C Farm teamed with top rider Rodrigo Pessoa who is also bringing along their young horses. Along with his uncle Helio Pessoa, Rodrigo is coaching the riders at G&C to excel to the next level. Mirabal comments, “After WEF we’ll have Luis and Mark going to horse shows in America and have Rodrigo doing the great shows in Europe. It’s my goal to jump horses all over the world, and we’re starting to do that.”
It’s a real family affair at G&C Farm for all the Mirabals. Gustavo says, “Everyone in the house is involved in horses. My wife Carolina is doing great in the high amateur jumpers and my daughter Maria is competing in the Junior Nations Cup next week. I just bought a mare in Europe I’m going to start riding in WEF. My most exciting class, however, is Sunday morning at the walk-trot class with my four- and six-year-old daughters. I never feel as nervous as for that class!”
The larger goal of G&C Farm is not only to promote its own riders, but the sport in general. “It’s not just winning classes with my horses and riders,” Mirabal explains, “It’s making the sport better in some way and especially doing it here in America.”
Increasing the FEI world ranking points became a way for G&C Farm to help FTI WEF through sponsoring the 1.45 jumper classes. Mirabal notes, “All the Europeans are in the top 30 for the FEI world ranking. It’s not because European riders are better, it’s because they have more chances to earn the points. We want to help give riders in North America more opportunities as well.”
G&C Farm proves that Jordan’s talent with team work approach can allow anyone to jump to the top of the international show jumping world. For more information, please visit www.gandcfarm.com or visit their Facebook page.