Copa del Azucar - 2025 CDI Cali Sets New Standard for International Dressage in Colombia

-- Text and Photos © Carmen Franco

It has become a tradition for me to make a report about important shows, so I didn’t want to miss writing something about the first edition of the Copa Del Azucar, a CDI 1* and CDN held at the Club Campestre de Cali in Cali (Valle del Cauca) on 22 - 25 May 2025.

The show is aptly named after the main product of the region: sugar. If I had to summarize, I would just have to say: what an event! But it really deserves to describe in detail what happened at one of the most beautiful locations we have in Colombia. It wasn’t just a dressage show, it was an experience in itself with all the activities planned around the week, in an enormous effort to catapult dressage in the country.

The Organizing Committee went above and beyond to produce an international quality experience for all participants, public, and officials. They transformed their biggest arena into a gorgeous set-up with world-class look, with a row of vendors on one side; restaurant, VIP area and bleachers on another side; and announcers, videographers, etc.

This made for a very organized atmosphere for all, including the judges who had their tents with fans. Even the official photographers had their own shaded area close to the competition ring. It had been raining quite a bit in the whole country; luckily, we didn´t see a drop during the week. The days were quite warm and we had enough covered areas to get out of the sun and feel less heat.

The Start

The week kicked off on Wednesday 21 May with two of the FEI judges, Agnieszka Majewska (Level 3 – Poland) and César Torrente (Level 3 – Colombia) arriving in time for the jog. A few horses were sent to holding box, but in the end everyone passed. The Show Committee had a special prize for the best presented horse and the judges had the task of picking it. They chose Flora, a Colombian bred mare owned by María Isabel Azcárate and jogged by Sofía Holguín, entered in the Children division. The third judge, Miguel Gonçalves (Level 2 – Portugal) arrived later that day.

In the evening the Colombian equestrian federation’s Dressage Committee organized a talk with César Torrente about “What Dressage Judges Observe." It was massively attended in one of the conference rooms in the club and online via  Zoom. César began describing the concern all judges have with horse welfare and what judges want to see at shows. Then we watched a few videos of different levels of performance and he explained what he saw. César is a very eloquent speaker and has a terrific way of making people understand what he is talking about. We were reminded of the importance of fulfilling the Training Scale while riding or judging.

A Day of Firsts

The show officially began on Thursday afternoon 22 May with a short ceremony where we heard a couple of speeches and Colombian and regional anthems were played before starting the national Medium Tour class. It is exciting for Dressage in Colombia to reach these levels again. We are a very small community and for years we were only able to get to Small Tour, but things have changed slowly, and progress is very clear.

Even more remarkable is it to see a few Lusitano horses born and trained here get to the highest level of competition. The grey mare Hi5 Azul (2012 - Alquimista x Principe HI - bred by Haras Azul) ridden by Mariana Cañón, did a hattrick winning all Medium Tour classes showing great development from the past National Championships in November last year. It was also a day for new beginnings for the bay stallion Hechicero (2012 - Dragon Comando SN x Solar Pinhais – bred by German Jaramillo) as he competed for the first time in Grand Prix with the Portuguese born but Colombian resident rider Carlos Augusto Mareco Sousa. Even though it was their debut for Carlos too, they looked like seasoned partners at the level. Just a joy to watch!

Another first for Gabriela Arango Azcárate who, after a very successful 2023 where she got the gold medal at the Youth National Games and became National Champion in Junior Riders, moved up to Young Riders. This time with the lusitano stallion Garoto Valente (2010 Zarvos do Top x Nevoeiro Y, bred by Aorivaldo Valente) as her main horse Mambo, has been recovering from a small injury.

The results were not what we were hoping for, even less when they were eliminated for a drop of blood - the size of a mosquito bite – after the Individual test. Nevertheless, Gaby is one of our hopes for the future as she possesses a beautiful seat and more than enough talent and dedication to go to the top. As the veterinarian didn’t find any evidence of harm or wrongdoing, they were allowed to show the Freestyle on Sunday in a Test of Choice class.

One more first for the two girls entered in the CDI Children division: Mariana Mantilla moved up the age level after very successful years in our national Pre-Children division. She won both classes on board of Pata Negra (2012 PRE gelding) with steady performances over Sofía Holguín with Flora.

Selection Trials

The center of attention for this show were the selection trials for Bolivarian and Central American and Caribbean Games at Small Tour level. Seven combinations entered the CDI but only five ended up competing. Laura Quintero / Jaguar and Fabrizia Tascón / Teutonia, were sadly withdrawn before the Vet Inspection on Wednesday.

Both Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I tests were won by Fabrizia Tascón riding Di Callas (2009 Westphalian mare by Diamond Hit x Pheres) with beautiful and fluent performances that show the many years they have been together. Breathing down her neck was Mariana England with Viva Vitalis (2017 Oldenburg by Vitalis x Apache), a mare she has been developing through all the Young Horse classes and now showing much talent at the Small Tour level. So much, she won the Intermediate I Freestyle on Sunday with a clear score that put her also in first place to win the Small Tour Copa del Azúcar.

Carolina Gómez with Kazan (2015 KWPN gelding by Everdale x Jazz) closed the podium in all three classes showing beautiful moments with her fabulous horse. We really hope for this combination to mature and show what they are capable of very soon.

Young Horse Material

Even if we have a very small number in the Young Horse classes, we can truly say we have world class quality. That's what Vin Diesel, an Oldenburg gelding (Vitalis x Sir Donnerhall) masterly ridden by Carlos Augusto Mareco Sousa, gave us in the 6-year-old division. They ended up with a fantastic score of 88.200 in the first day and 85.000 in the second.

In the 7-year-old division Alex Trujillo showed the grey lusitano stallion Orbey Z (Peralta Pinhais x Zique), bred by Haras Zaccour. Little imprecisions kept the scores from going higher, but there is enough quality and talent to see them improving much more.

In the national 4-year-old class, there was another impressive performance by Rosso Azul (Escorial x Peralta Pinhais), a Lusitano stallion owned and bred by Haras Azul and ridden by Carlos Augusto Mareco Sousa. It was Rosso’s first show and the 80.400 they got on the first day gives us chills for what will come next. The second day, there were a few distractions around the arena and his young brain couldn’t fully concentrate on the task.

Even with this, we clearly have one more talented horse to develop in the country. Talk about future!

National Participation

It wasn’t the largest dressage show we have had in Colombia, but participation was enough in all classes starting from Semilleros (grassroots). A nice group of riders came from Antioquia, led by their trainers Mariana Atehortúa and Santiago Botero. Most competitors from Bogotá area stayed home this time, but they are preparing their trip to the National Championships that will be held at this same Club at the end of October. I’m sure they will never miss a Copa del Azúcar in the future.

Grooms Taking Center Stage

The show schedule on Saturday was enriched with a Grooms Competition. They took center stage presenting the horses ready for a jumping, eventing or dressage show. The judges evaluated them and had to pick two finalists. The chosen were Javier Fernández with the eventing horse Gamma Castellon and Camilo Terán with the dressage gelding Pata Negra. The public had the task to cheer for their favorite groom to pick the winner. Camilo got the first prize with the loudest applause from the crowd.

The Organizing Committee prepared two wonderful prizes, and the public also collected money to give to every groom who didn’t make the cut to the final. It was a wonderful class that got everybody involved in giving the grooms some time to demonstrate their skills and a very well-deserved time in the spotlight.

Not Only Dressage

The activities were not only around the competition arena, on Friday night there was a wonderful party held at the polo grounds. It was fabulously decorated with a buffet of typical hors d’oeuvres, sugar cane, and beautiful horse paintings and sculptures.

We enjoyed a fantastic show of salsa dancers, live music and even a DJ! Without a doubt, the Club Campestre de Cali knocked it out of the park with this event, and we look forward to next year’s edition.

Related Links
Scores: 2025 CDI Cali
FEI Solidarity Course for Grooms in Colombia: Teaching Grooming Techniques and Horse Communication
Colombian Team Announced for 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games