MEXICO CITY — Beneath the towering trees of Chapultepec Park, another stirring chapter was written in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Mexico as the CSI5* 1.55m Trofeo Banorte brought speed, pressure and elite horsemanship together at Campo Marte. In front of a packed and passionate crowd, 45 of the world’s leading riders tackled a class that demanded nerve as much as precision.
The loudest cheer of the afternoon belonged to home favourite Eugenio Garza Perez, who produced a superb jump-off round aboard Chalouries PS to claim victory in 36.55 seconds. It was a performance built on control, confidence and relentless pace, and despite a formidable list of challengers still to come, no one could better his time.
“It is just such an incredible feeling to win here at one of the best shows in the world with the crowd behind you,” Garza Perez said afterwards. “You can feel them pushing you every step of the way. Gracias Mexico!”
The track, designed by Anderson Lima, made full use of the expansive grass arena. Riders were invited to attack but punished for even the slightest lapse in concentration. The flowing nature of the course encouraged momentum, yet every turn and approach required absolute accuracy.
That balance was clear from the opening phase, where clear rounds arrived in quick succession and highlighted the extraordinary quality of the field. The home supporters found their voice early as Garza Perez and Nicolas Pizarro both delivered faultless efforts to secure places in the jump-off.
There were narrow misses, too. Clara Pezzoli and Jappeloup jumped beautifully but collected a single time fault, leaving them just outside the deciding round. Sophie Hinners and Lommers suffered the same fate, their polished round undone only by the clock.
With 14 combinations returning for the jump-off, the contest moved into another gear. One after another, accomplished riders chased the leading mark with aggressive, committed rounds. Victor Bettendorf and Max KĂĽhner both pressed hard, but the benchmark remained out of reach.
Garza Perez’s winning round stood out for its blend of bravery and discipline. He never appeared rushed, yet every stride counted. As the final rider finished, the roar around Campo Marte confirmed what the clock already had: the home nation had its winner.
The Longines Global Champions Tour Mexico results from the Trofeo Banorte offered another reminder of the sport’s global depth, with riders from several nations filling the leading places.
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