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Daniel Bedoya Works Magic in $25,000 Walter Oil and Gas Pin Oak Grand Prix

Daniel Bedoya and Abracadabra WKT won the $25,000 Walter Oil and Gas Pin Oak Grand Prix on Thursday, April 8. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

RINGSIDE WITH THE PLAID HORSE

BY KRISTIN PITZER

Katy, Texas – April 8, 2021 –  Going into the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s $25,000 Walter Oil and Gas Grand Prix, held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center on April 8, Daniel Bedoya’s plan with Abracadabra WKT was to take it easy and save the mare for the $100,000 Pin Oak Charity Grand Prix, to be held April 10. Abracadabra WKT, or “Abby,” had spent time the prior winter recovering from an injury, and he didn’t want to push the mare too much.

In a starting field of 28 riders, the pair, along with seven others, jumped a clean first round. They were second-to-last in the jump-off, and by that point, only one other horse-and-rider had jumped a clear round without a time penalty.

“Sometimes going at the end is an advantage,” Bedoya said. “I saw that I didn’t have to go flying, and it worked. I slowed down a little to the last jump. That almost cost me the class, but it was OK. The aim is still Saturday. If we won today, great; if we didn’t, it was fine.”

Daniel Bedoya and Abracadabra WKT. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Bedoya and Abby jumped a clear round in 42.182 seconds, winning the class and a check worth $7,500. Bedoya said the mare feels great, and he has a good feeling about her going into the big grand prix at the end of the week.

Bedoya has been riding Abby for nine years. She was originally purchased by her owner, Monica Hanks, to be a hunter, but over the years, the mare made the switch to the jumpers.

“She was a very special hunter at the beginning, and then as she matured, she got hotter and hotter, and she didn’t like the job,” Bedoya said. “We decided one day to put her in the jumpers, and we never looked back. She started winning, and she’s won quite a few grand prix classes now.”

He added that the 13-year-old Holsteiner can be a bit temperamental and difficult to ride, but with such a long relationship together, he knows her well. He’s planning to take her to Tryon, NC, and to do a few more shows this year, and Bedoya then hopes to take her to the South American Games in 2022.

Bedoya thanked Hanks and her husband for being great friends, clients and partners, and added he is excited to start competing with their new horse, Quimi Del Maset. The Hanks purchased the 7-year-old Warmblood, who is a half-brother to Bedoya’s old grand prix horse, Quattro, to follow in Abby’s footsteps.

Daniel Bedoya and Abracadabra WKT. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

From Magnolia, Texas, Bedoya has been attending Pin Oak for more than 20 years. He enjoys having the prestigious show so close to where he lives.

“It’s always special to win at home in front of your friends and your family,” Bedoya said. “It’s been a great horse show. Pin Oak always does a great job.”

Colleen Acosta and Lancome took reserve after jumping a clean round in 44.060 seconds. The 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare collected $5,500 for owner L.O.O. LLC. Coming in third were Untouchable 32 and Joshua Tabor, who jumped a clear round in 47.792 seconds, and rounding out the top four with zero jumping faults and three time faults were Carvelo Z and Bree Garey with a time of 50.580.

The 75th annual Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, which continues through April 11, features three weeks of top hunter, jumper and American Saddlebred competition, benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital.

Learn more about the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show by visiting www.PinOak.org, and find the horse show on Facebook here. To purchase competition photos, visit www.AndrewRyback.com.