Cassio Rivetti Rides to One-Two Finish in $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic
No one could catch Cassio Rivetti on Sunday, February 1, as the Brazilian rider galloped away with both first and second place in the $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic. Rivetti took the top honor in the class – held as part of Desert Circuit 4 at Desert International Horse Park – aboard AGS Casallida, and he finished in second with Golden Cygano JAP.
With “Casallida”, Rivetti was the first of ultimately 11 entries that jumped clear over the course designed by Alan Wade and Colm Quinn. As the clear pathfinders, Rivetti and Casallida were also the first to return for the jump-off, and they laid down a time to beat of 37.586 seconds that would prove uncatchable by the remainder of the field.
“Cygano” cleared the finish in 38.967 seconds for second place, and the USA’s Allison Lajoie rode her own Botero to a time of 39.402 seconds for third.
“I first jumped her last week doing a little bit for Laura Hite. Normally Laura rides her,” said Rivetti of the horse owned by HF Farms LLC. “She’s amazing I think! She’s an impressive mare. She’s fantastic and easy – so easy to ride. She’s very nice and smooth and don’t need to do too much.”
Rivetti continued, “In the jump-off, my mare has a huge stride, so I was sure that she could go in seven to the last [to get the win].”
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