Gregory Wathelet Pilots Homebred Argentina De La Marchete to Win CSI3* 1.50m Speed
Day two of FEI competition took place Friday at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) and Desert Circuit has yet to see a day of international competition not won by Gregory Wathelet (BEL). The European Championship team gold medalist topped yet another international class aboard a different mount, Argentina De La Marchete, in the $38,700 Morning Star Sporthorses CSI3* 1.50m Speed.
“She is more special for us. I bred her; she was born at home,” Wathelet said of the 11-year-old Selle Francais mare (Acajou De La Marchete x Del Piero PB). “It’s a family story. She did some very good things. She was the Belgian champion as a 7-year-old. She has super quality, she has blood, and I wouldn’t say she has attitude but she’s sensitive. You need to know her to manage and ride her well. But when [you get it right] then she is a super jumper.”
Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Argentina De La Marchete. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Wathelet’s super jumper had a big task ahead since Conor Swail (IRL) and Theo 160 had set the time to beat around the halfway mark of the class. Chasing Swail’s time of 60.81 seconds, Wathelet didn’t think he’d get the job done, but the mare had other plans.
“I saw Conor; he was fast,” Wathelet explained. “I know he’s a very fast rider but I also know my mare can be very fast. I was not sure if I [could] catch him because she’s quite hot and if I go too much it’s not the best [for Sunday]. I stuck to my plan quite well. I didn’t expect to be faster to be honest; I was thinking I’d be third or so. But she’s naturally very fast.”
Read more:
