Just three years ago, “Collin” was destined for slaughter — a tearaway seven-year-old who had been assigned to the scrapheap. But a chance phone call changed the gelding’s fate and this week Collin beat some of the best in the world to win a big-money showjumping class in Wellington, Florida, with Brazilian rider Luiz Francisco de Azevedo.
“Two and a half years ago nobody wanted this horse,” said Luiz. “He was really wild and really difficult to ride. Then a friend of mine called me and said he found a horse that I might be able to jump. He was seven years old, but he had never done a show in his life. My friend told me the horse was a little bit different, but I said, ‘Okay, let’s see what he can do.'”
Luiz acquired a half-share in the KWPN son of Colandro and the pair took part in their first competition two weeks later.
“He jumped the first day 1.30m clear, the second day 1.35m clear, and the third day 1.40m clear in the first show of his life,” said Luiz. “Now he is my second horse, and I am really lucky to have him.
“It is so unbelievable. We bought him for nothing. We tell that story, and people do not believe it.
(Image credit: Thierry Billet)
“I just gave him a chance to arrive,” he added. “The quality is in the horse.”
On Wednesday (15 February) the pair won the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m speed class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I was 12th to go, and I knew that the course was good for me,” said Luiz. “My horse has a really big stride, and he is always going. Sometimes I lose a little bit of time in the turns, but then I can always do one less stride in the lines easily.
“I enjoy that quality that he has, and we had a good opportunity to win this class.”
Don’t miss reports from all the international showjumping action, including Wellington, Florida, in Horse & Hound every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
