Wellington, FL – June 16, 2011 – G&C Farm has started their summer tour with success at CSI 5* shows across Europe. Olympian Pablo Barrios, currently ranked 27th in the world, was a class winner at the Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France and has been in the ribbons at major competitions. G&C Farm is based in Wellington, FL, and owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela. Barrios, who competes for Venezuela, is also based in Wellington.
Gustavo Mirabal stated, “It has been a fantastic summer tour in Europe for G&C Farm. It is important for us to jump in five-star shows and in the Global Champions Tour. It is the first time ever that a rider from Venezuela has competed at these shows, and we are very proud to represent our country with the fantastic results that we have received so far. It was such a great feeling to hear the national anthem and see the Venezuelan flag raised in Cannes!”
In their most recent show in Cannes, G&C Farm posted a victory. Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11, a 13-year-old KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus, won the Prix Generali (1.50m). The class was a qualifier for the grand prix. Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 returned in the jump-off to go double clear in a speedy time of 36.20 seconds, almost one second faster than the next three competitors.
Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11
Barrios said, “It was a tough course. There were quite a few clears and they were all top level. I was one of the last to go in the jump-off and it was a fast jump-off. I just tried to go for the win and the mare responded really well. We ended up winning, which was very important for us. It was our first win at the Global Champions Tour.”
Also in Cannes, Barrios and G&C Flash, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Forrester x Grannus, were fourth in the Prix Touessrok/Air Mauritius (1.50m).
Earlier in the season, G&C Flash was double clear and placed fifth in the Trofeo NH Hoteles (1.50m) class at the Global Champions Tour in Valencia, Spain. At the Global Champions Tour in Hamburg, Germany, Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 were eighth in the GCT of Germany Grand Prix. They had 4 in the first round and were clear in the second round. On the opening day of Hamburg, G&C Flash was 11th in the Eurogate Speed class.
G&C Farm and Pablo Barrios also competed at the Jumping International Officiel de France in La Baule, CSIO 5*. Barrios and G&C Sinatra finished 12th in the Derby De La Region Des Pays De La Loire. He and G&C Quick Star 11 jumped clear with one time fault for 13th place in the Grand Prix Longines De La Ville De La Baule.
Barrios described of his top mounts, “Quick Star is being really consistent, and I’m very pleased with her results. Flash is becoming a very mature horse and is able to get results at this level, which is great. I think it’s been a good start, and I hope we can keep it up.”
Barrios and G&C Flash
Mirabal noted, “Pablo was great in Cannes. G&C Quick Star showed us that she can win in Europe. She did really well in Paris, La Baule, and Hamburg and I knew we were really near a win, then finally in Cannes we won! G&C Flash is only nine years and doing great. I have big hopes with this horse. He has been very consistent and has jumped better that we expected. These results have shown that Pablo and the horses can win against the best riders and horses in the world.”
Competing for the second year in Europe, Barrios feels more comfortable at the shows. “I can get better results and proved to myself that I can compete at this level. Being here means always learning from the other riders. It’s nice to compete with riders at the top of the rankings, watch them go, and always get more experience.”
Mirabal added, “So far we have reached some of our goals and we hope to improve on them. We are going to keep working! I want to thank all my team (escuderia) for their hard work and a great job.”
G&C Farm will compete next at the Global Champions Tour, CSI 5* in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Please visit www.farmgc.com for more information on G&C Farm, their riders, and their horses. You can also find out more by visiting the G&C Farm page on Facebook or follow G&C Farm on Twitter.
G&C Farm brings exceptional horses and top Venezuelan jumper riders to the highest levels of competition. Their state-of-the-art, full-service facility is located in Wellington, FL.
The vision of G&C Farm is to improve the instruction and training of their top jumper riders and horses in order to seek a place on the Venezuelan team for all high level tournaments and top competitions, including the World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games. G&C Farm sponsors top grand prix rider Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, as well as other up and coming riders. The technical advisor at G&C Farm is Olympic Games course designer Leopoldo Palacios.
For more information on G&C Farm, please visit www.farmgc.com.
Photo Credit: Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star won the Prix Generali at the Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France. Pablo Barrios and G&C Flash, photos © Jenny Abrahamsson, www.worldofshowjumping.com. These photos may only be used in relation to this press release and with full photo credit.