Carlos Munoz and Klouseau (SusanJStickle.com)
Munoz and Klouseau, a twelve-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Karen Blank, were the last pair to go in the class and scored an impressive 73.550% to leapfrog to the top of the rankings. Evi Strasser (CAN) and Rigaudon Tyme finished second with a score of 70.800%, Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo took third with a 66.325% and Brittany Fraser (CAN) was fourth with All In and a score of 64.775%.
Munoz, based in Whitehouse Station, NJ, was elated to have done so well with Klouseau, who he only showed for the first time nine months ago. "I'm really happy. This is almost the last show of the season and I think we had great progress this season," Munoz grinned.
"I want to thank Karen [Blank], the owner of the horse, for this big experience with him, and [trainer] Cesar Parra for helping me every day. This show, Volker Moritz was also helping me every day and I want to thank him a lot," Munoz continued.
Munoz acknowledged that he has learned as much from Klouseau as the gelding has from him during this season. "I didn't have too much experience showing, so I think we're progressing this season. I think he had more experience than me, actually, so he's teaching me how to do it really well," he said.
Everything fell into place for the pair on Sunday, which Munoz felt was the perfect ending to the weekend. "The whole weekend, from the first day, I've felt the horse is ready. He's really doing exactly what I'm telling him to do. He's really relaxed. I'm really happy with how the weekend ended. We were fifth the first day in the St. Georges-it was good but it could have been better. The second day was a little bit better, I repaired the little mistakes from the day before, and then today I'm just really happy. It's the end of the three days and it's been really good. This horse is such a good guy. He's a superstar," Munoz described.
"I think [Kloseau] is the perfect mix between talent and character," Munoz continued. "He's quiet, but you put your leg on and he goes off well. I enjoy the extended trots and canters a lot, and I think he does too. When you loosen the reins a little bit, he just flies. He loves it."
Munoz and Klouseau's victory concluded competition for the Wellington 5* presented by Diamante Farms. The FEI Intermediare Freestyle, presented by Peacock Ridge, was preceded by the FEI Young Rider Freestyle. Tanya Strasser Shostak (CAN) and Deluxe Tyme took top honors for the class with a score of 62.375%.
Final Results: FEI Intermediare Freestyle presented by Peacock Ridge
Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%
1 Carlos Munoz, ESP, Klouseau: 75.000%, 70.125%, 73.125%, 73.750%, 75.750%, 73.550%
2 Evi Strasser, CAN, Rigaudon Tyme: 71.125%, 68.750%, 69.625%, 72.250%, 72.250%, 70.800%
3 Shelly Francis, USA, Danilo: 66.875%, 66.250%, 65.625%, 66.250%, 66.625%, 66.325%
4 Brittany Fraser, CAN, All In: 65.250%, 66.000%, 66.125%, 60.875%, 65.625%, 64.775%