For Immediate Release
Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – May 30, 2014 – G&C Farm has gotten off to a remarkably good start in Europe, with great results coming in from abroad thanks to both Gustavo Arroyo and Gustavo Mirabal. Most recently, Mirabal won at the Longines Jumping International de La Baule May 15 – 18 in La Baule, France. Their summer show tour will continue in Europe as they move to top destinations and show jumping competitions.
G&C Farm is owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of Venezuela and based in Wellington, Florida. The family competes as well as supports Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and professional riders Gustavo Arroyo (VEN) and Luis Miguel Martinez (VEN).
Gustavo Mirabal and G&C Leroy have won in Antwerp, Madrid, and La Baule in the first half of their summer show tour. Photo © Sportfot.
Gustavo Mirabal and G&C Leroy proved to be a winning combination almost immediately, placing second in their first class of the summer and winning the CSI 2* 1.15m the next morning in Antwerp, Belgium, at the Longines Global Champions Tour on April 24 – 27. Mirabal also finished third with new mount G&C Lucy in the CSI 2* 1.15m on the first day of competition.
Mirabal’s hot streak continued at the Longines Global Champions Tour Madrid, May 2 -3, where he rode G&C Leroy to the top of two CSI 2* 1.15m classes in addition to finishing fourth with G&C Sicilia in the same division. Arroyo also picked up a first place prize with G&C Blue in the CSI 2* 1.40m division and was second with G&C Jartrum in the 1.25m.
Mirabal won two of the 1.15m classes and placed second in another aboard G&C Leroy in La Baule. Gustavo Arroyo also enjoyed a top ten finish on the final day of the show with G&C Blue in the 1.45m class during CSI 5* competition.
Top five placings with new mounts like G&C Sicilia and G&C Lucy have been just as exciting for Mirabal as his many wins with G&C Leroy. Mirabal has been thrilled with the new horses’ results and looks forward to continuing G&C Farm’s success throughout the next leg of their European tour.
“G&C Sicilia is doing great, although I still am learning to adapt my riding to what she likes a little more,” Mirabal acknowledged. “I also am going to start showing G&C Carmella, and G&C Lucy is very close to starting to win. I’m excited for all of the horses and have big hopes for our new ones.”
Competing in Europe is always a highlight for Mirabal, who appreciates the increased level of competition and the special efforts made for amateur riders.
“I really enjoy competing in Europe. The horse shows are beautiful and very well done. The award ceremonies are the same for the amateurs as the professionals, which is a nice touch. The shows know how to make the amateurs feel special. Plus, every week is a different venue, which is always exciting,” Mirabal explained.
For Mirabal, the most rewarding part of winning abroad is hearing the Venezuelan national anthem played during his victory lap, a moment he describes as “always emotional.”
Gustavo Mirabal and G&C Lucy in the awards presentation at Antwerp. Photo © Sportfot.
“I always try 100% to win and do my best, and my team takes it very seriously, so they deserve it. When I hear the Venezuelan national anthem I feel happy for my team and my horses. All of our effort is recognized in that moment,” Mirabal said.
He continued, “I have to thank Gustavo Arroyo for his guidance this year, as well as Luis Miguel Martinez, who is my right hand in the barn. Of course, a huge thanks to our amazing groom Karine for taking such great care of the horses, and to Rodrigo Pessoa, our head coach. We have a very good team, and I am so lucky to have them behind me.”
After a short break from competition, Mirabal and the entire G&C team look forward to an exciting summer of world-class show jumping competition. June competition kicks off at the Athina Onassis Horse Show in Saint-Tropez, France, and continues with the Longines Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France, and Monaco. Their summer tour concludes with the stunning setting of the Eiffel Tower in Paris for the Longines Global Champions Tour.
For more information on G&C Farm, please visit their website at www.gandcfarm.com, like their page on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.
G&C Farm brings exceptional horses and top 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 at all high level tournaments and top competitions, including the World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games. G&C Farm sponsors Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa, as well as other professional riders.