Emanuel Andrade, 17, placed 70th riding Hardrock Z in his world championship debut for Venezuela at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Photo by Noelle Floyd
Venezuela’s Angel Karolyi riding Amigo made his world championship debut at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Photo by Noelle Floyd

September 4, 2014 – Caen, France – Venezuelan Show Jumping Team members Emanuel Andrade and Angel Karolyi closed out their World Championship debut on Wednesday, September 3, following the second day of competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Both riders had strong performances in the individual and team qualifier, which saw 153 athletes representing 54 countries contesting the World Championship title.

Following two days of competition, Andrade finished in 70th place with a total of 15.42 points riding Hardrock Z while Karolyi was 99th with a final score of 21.50 his mount, Amigo. The top 50 ranked individuals moved forward to the third phase of competition on Thursday, September 4.

At only 17 years of age, Andrade impressed in his world championship debut, competing on the international stage alongside countless Olympic athletes. Riding Hardrock Z, an 11-year-old bay Zangersheide stallion (Heartbreaker x Carthago Z), Andrade incurred two rails during Wednesday’s competition for eight penalties plus one time fault, which was added to his score from Tuesday of 6.42.

“This has been the best experience and feeling in my life so far,” said the young rider, whose talent belies his young age. “I am very grateful and proud of my team and my horse. I think he is one of the best! We had bad luck at the water jump today but everything else went well. Thank you to everyone who has supported me.”

While Karolyi is a veteran of the Venezuelan Team, having competed at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and as a member of the gold medal team at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, France marked his first World Championship appearance. Riding Amigo, a 10-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding (Coriano Z x Silvester) owned by Hollow Creek Farm, Karolyi incurred 12 faults in Wednesday’s competition, which was added to his score of 8.5 from Tuesday’s speed round.

“Amigo did his part, I was really proud of him,” said Karolyi, 27. “I’m lucky to have him, and I think he finished solid. In Wednesday’s round, he jumped the last line, which was extremely difficult, with quality. I’m thrilled with him, to be honest.”

Speaking to Andrade’s impressive World Championship debut, Karolyi noted, “Emanuel rode beautifully, he handled himself beautifully, and he rode a beautiful round on Wednesday. He made two little mistakes that could have easily been taken away, so I’m really proud of him.”

As the Venezuelan Team, which also included Pablo Barrios riding Antares and Andres Rodriguez with Caballito, finished in 19th position in the team standings, it did not qualify for the Team Final, which sees the top 10 nations battling for supremacy. Olympian Barrios was the only member the Venezuelan team to qualify for Thursday’s individual competition, having jumped clear with one time fault in Wednesday’s competition to rank 39th in the standings with a score of 8.51.

Of Venezuela’s hopes for the future, Karolyi noted, “It’s obviously exciting that we are here, it’s our first time having an actual team at the World Championships. Now we have to keep working to get better and try to be a nation of contenders; we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Held every four years, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games act as the world championships for equestrian sport. For more information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.normandy2014.com.

For more information on Emanuel Andrade and Angel Karolyi, please visit www.hollowcreekfarms.com.