Bruno Diniz Das Neves Claims ATCO Spring Series Leading FEI Rider Bonus at Blenheim EquiSports

After a close battle down to the end, Bruno Diniz Das Neves won the ATCO Spring Series Leading FEI Rider Bonus. Photo by McCool Photography

San Juan Capistrano, CA – Following a closely contested fight to the finish during the Blenheim EquiSports spring season, Bruno Diniz Das Neves was named the ATCO Spring Series Leading FEI Rider on Saturday, May 20.

In total $25,000 in ATCO Spring Series Leading FEI Rider Bonus checks were presented during the Blenheim Surf & Turf International. With 241 total points, Neves was presented with the first-place check for $15,000. Second place and a $7,500 check went to Matias Fernandez Cuevas, who earned 234 points, and Shawn Casady took home the $2,500 third-place check with 211 points. To view the full final standings, click here.

Points toward the series standings were earned in all CSI2* and CSI3* competition held during the Blenheim Spring Classic I, April 4-8; the Blenheim Spring Classic II, April 12-16; the San Juan Capistrano International, May 9-14; and the Surf & Turf International, May 17-21.

Bruno Diniz Das Neves and Karius. Photo by McCool Photography

On the way to the overall victory, Neves got things off to a strong start with a win in the $20,000 CSI2* 1.35m Bronze Tour Classic, held during the Spring Classic I.

Neves earned that initial victory aboard Karius, and the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Mirasol Equestrian, LLC., continued to notch strong results throughout the spring season.

Matias Fernandez Cuevas and Dancing in the Dark. Photo by McCool Photography

“I think he’s a very special horse,” said Neves of Karius. “I think he’s one of those one-in-a-million to be honest. He is part of a string of horses that I have now. I have four 8-year-olds and one 9-year-old. He has all the scope. He’s very smart and very, very careful, but he also has a lot of character, so he likes to play. In the beginning, he would play with me during the courses. He’s a horse that you can see that you have to take a little time with him because he can do it, but at the same time, he’s got his own personality. I just think that’s what makes them special. He’s just getting better and better. I think it’s a horse to do the big sport if he’s well produced; he’s going to be one of those special horses that can jump everything. I’m very excited with him.”

In addition to his success with Karius, Neves earned points aboard other mounts including Gucci Musterd and Dali de la Lande.

Shawn Casady and NKH Cento Blue. Photo by McCool Photography

For second-place ATCO Leading Rider Bonus earner Matias Fernandez Cuevas, his top results came during the Surf & Turf International where he rode Dancing in the Dark to victory in the $2,000 CSI2* 1.40m Power & Speed and second place in the $15,000 CSI2* 1.40m Winning Round.

Shawn Casady clinched his third-place ATCO Leading Rider Bonus check thanks largely to his victory in the $100,000 CSI3* ATCO Gold Tour Grand Prix aboard NKH Cento Blue. That win also helped him earn a spot as an alternate on the U.S. team for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA the following month.

In addition to the company’s sponsorship of Blenheim EquiSports, ATCO is a strong supporter of equestrian events across Canada, including a major sponsor of the world-renowned Spruce Meadows facility in Alberta and its premier competitions. ATCO’s ongoing pursuit of excellence governs the company, drives it forward and makes ATCO the ideal partner as Blenheim EquiSports strives to make The Riding Park “A Place Like No Other”.

About ATCO
With approximately 7,600 employees and assets of CAD $24 billion, ATCO Ltd. is a diversified global corporation with investments in the essential services of Structures & Logistics (workforce and residential housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, workforce lodging services, facility operations and maintenance, defense operations services, and disaster and emergency management services); Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international operations); Energy Infrastructure (energy storage, energy generation, industrial water solutions, and clean fuels); Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales, and whole-home solutions); Transportation (ports and transportation logistics); and Commercial Real Estate. More information can be found at www.ATCO.com.