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Yvonne Losos de Muņiz Wins Gold at the Central American Games
In a near perfect final performance at the recent Central American Games, held November 23 - December 7 in El Salvador, Yvonne Losos de Muņiz won the individual gold medal in dressage, having accumulated the highest scores overall in the Team and Individual competitions. Riding the test of her lifetime, Losos de Muņiz and her 12-year-old Dutch-bred mare, Inatana Las Marismas (KWPN Keur mare by Latano x Carneval) earned a 70.95%, the highest score on the final day. Adding her 68.15%, the top score overall in the Team competition, Losos de Muņiz was awarded an additional gold medal for her accumulated dressage scores. Competition at these Games was fierce. 1999 Pan American team silver medallist and 1996 Olympic competitor Joachim Orth Balschat on Guido of Mexico had to settle for the individual silver medal (67.90% and 70.11%) while his teammate, Bernadette Pujals Cavalle riding Vincent, 1999 Pan American team silver and individual bronze medallist, took home the bronze (67.79% and 69.74%). Dr. Cesar Parra Bautista, Colombia's 1999 Pan American team bronze medallist was left out of the running in fourth place. Coached by Holland's Diederik Wigmans, the Dominican Republic Dressage Team of Losos de Muņiz, Georgie Fernández riding Joris Las Marismas (11-year-old KWPN gelding by Uniform x Octrooi), Diana Ramos de Tejeda on Arabella (11-year-old KWPN mare by Blanc Rivage XX x Roemer), and Vanessa Doyle riding Hulster Las Marismas (13-year-old KWPN gelding by Ulster x Utrecht), earned the bronze medal behind Mexico's gold and Colombia's silver. "I'm thrilled with winning the individual gold and the Dominican Republic Team's performance. We accomplished what we came here for, and as a Dutch Warmblood breeder it also makes me extremely proud to have a team entirely composed of KWPN horses," said Losos de Muņiz, 35. After her euphoric gold medal win in dressage at the Central American Games, Losos de Muņiz, riding Jilou Las Marismas, (10-year-old KWPN mare by Emilion x Nimmerdor), joined Hector Florentino, riding Maretty Las Marismas, (8-year-old KWPN mare by Ferro x L. Ronald), Juan Jose Bancalari on Trovador and Maria Gabriela Ricart riding Conway on the Dominican Republic Show Jumping Team. Colombia won the team gold while Mexico and Guatemala took silver and bronze respectively. Coached by Mariano Bedoya of Argentina, Florentino was the Dominican Republic's highest placed finisher at the Central American Games. The pair held their own throughout the week, being one of 25 competitors out of a starting field of 36 to advance to the final. With 46 accumulated faults after five rounds of competition, Hector and Maretty Las Marismas finished 15th overall. Losos de Muņiz experienced sheer disappointed when she was forced to withdraw after her mount did not fully recover from a small injury incurred the first day of competition. "This is the first time that our country has had a rider in the top 25. We are extremely proud of Hector and Maretty Las Marismas' performance," said Losos de Muņiz. "The Dominican Republic Equestrian Teams are on track and we're one step closer to representing our country when it hosts the Pan American Games next summer."
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