The combination Ignacio Lopez Porras and the Andalusian stallion Nevado Santa Clara have been reunited. After disappointing results at the 2006 Spanish Dressage Championships, Nevado's owner Yeguada Santa Clara immediately took the horse away
from Lopez Porras and retired it to stud. However, now that all the commotion concerning the Championships has settled down, Yeguada has returned the horse to Lopez Porras. They pair has been officially entered for the training seminar with Spanish team trainer Jan Bemelmans, taking place at the Ganaderia Stables in Spain, February 9-22, 2007.
The retirment of Nevado Santa Clara caused much aggrevation in the Spanish Dressage world. It has been rumoured that Ignacio Lopez Porras found out about the retirement of Nevado via a press release and not from the owners directly. The Spanish Equestrian Federation rang Lopez Porras to check if the press release was true. Furthermore, the judge who gave the rider a low score at the national championships has mentioned in a renowned Spanish equestrian magazine that she has too many family commitments to continue judging.
Fortunately, Yeguada Santa Clara and Lopez Porras realised that the horse's retirement was an act done in the heat of the moment following much disappointment and sadness for undeserved scores at the national championships. Lopez Porras and Nevado Santa Clara have been reunited and will be competing at the 2007 Sunshine Tour CDI.
The Bemelmans seminar counts as official preparation for the Sunshine Tour which takes place in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, begin March. Other Spanish riders selected for the clinic are:
- Nevado Santa Clara - Ignacio López Porras
- RMR Keops - Enrique Cruces
- G-Nidium - Rafael Ortiz Alcalá Zamora
- Cristiano - Eva Navarro
- Remate - José Antonio García Mena
- Wie Atlántico - Juan Matute
- Uxtro - Lauro Aguiló
- Hemeterik Alpha - Nuria Vila
- Fuego - Juan Manuel Muñoz
- Torero de Cubas - Eduardo Mellado
- Raio - Juan A. Jiménez
- Iles - Víctor Álvarez
- Fogonero- José Mª Sánchez Cobos
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels / Eurodressage
Related Links
Nevado Santa Clara Retired From Competition
Rafael Ortiz Wins 2006 Spanish Dressage Championships