COLOMBIA’s Carlos Lopez and Prince de la Mare seized victory in Madrid in an electrifying 11-horse jump-off in the sixth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup jumping 2014/2015 Western European League.

The 49-year-old rider, who took team bronze at the FEI Central American and Caribbean Games in Bogota in 2006, and who finished 18th individually at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, was fourth to go and went double clear in a time of 38.69 to win.

Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander coming closest with a last-to-go run partnering Lintea Tequila. They finished in second, double clear in 38.90.

The talented young Frenchman, 23-year-old Alexandre Fontanelle, slotted into third with Prime Time des Vagues (0/0 38.91) while Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano and Admara 2 lined up fourth (0/0 39.14).

This was the first time for Madrid to host a leg of the FEI World Cup jumping series and the action took place at the Fiera Exhibition Centre.

Spanish course designer Javier Trenor presented a track filled with challenging oxers. Belgium’s Judy-Ann Melchior led the way with a clear but cautious run with As Cold as Ice Z to set the early target at 41.80 seconds. Switzerland’s Paul Estermann broke the beam more than two seconds quicker on the Irish-bred Castlefield Eclipse (OBOS Quality 004) but left the 1.55m oxer at fence seven on the floor to finish eighth.

Spain’s Pilar Cordon’s Nuage Bleu clipped the first element of the triple combination but Lopez made no mistake.

Fontanelle came dangerously close, with a super run from the 11-year-old gelding Prime Time des Vagues but were 0.22 off Lopez’s target. And when Norway’s Dag Ove Kingsrod (Dimaro), Spain’s Sergio Moya (Carlo) and reigning Longines FEI World Cup jumping champion Daniel Deusser from Germany (Pironella), each left a pole on the floor, the Colombian was still out in front.

Italy’s Gaudiano set off at a terrific pace with his nine-year-old Admara who crossed the line in 39.14 seconds. Britain’s Robert Whitaker looked even more of a threat but had a run-out with 11-year-old Catwalk IV down the final line.

Lopez was missing from the top end of the sport for 12 years but two years ago decided to make a comeback and is now based near Lyon, France.

IRISH FEATURE

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Cameron Hanley was fifth in the 1.55m Grand Prix at Madrid with Caretina de Joter, double clear in 40.43. The class was won by Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and H & M Sibon (0/0 37.41).

Denis Lynch and Quote Zavaan clocked up eight faults in the first round while Wexford’s Bertram Allen had a fence down with Molly Malone V.

Lynch and Querida also finished fifth (0/0 49.46) in the 1.50m winning round competition, won by Germany’s Daniel Deusser on Espyrante (0/0 45.77).

The next leg of the series takes place at London’s Olympia on Sunday, December 21st.