Joe Stockdale 2nd in Sunshine Tour CSI4* Andulucia Big Tour Grand Prix
Sunday 28 February 2021
Joe Stockdale 2nd in Sunshine Tour CSI4* Big Tour Grand Prix
It was a tremendous performance by 21 year-old Joe Stockdale from Northampton when he took 2nd place in the CSI4* Sunshine Tour Grand Prix at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain. The Big Tour Grand Prix brought to an end of what was the third week of the tour which runs until the end of March offering nine grass competition arenas and twelve all weather training and competition arenas.
The Grand Prix asked many questions of the sixty combinations that came forward to contest the 1.55m course designed by Elena Boix of Spain. Only six of the original starting field managed to achieve a first round clear and it was Joe who flew the flag for Great Britain as the sole Brit in the jump-off field made up of Michael Duffy (IRL), Steve Guerdat (SUI), Jerome Guery (BEL), Jose Larocca (ARG) and home rider Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP).
Joe, riding Equine America Cacharel, a 10 year-old mare owned by Joy Cocklin, was first to go in the jump off where they set a strong standard for others to follow by delivering a fast clear in a time of 44.74 seconds. Their performance was all the more impressive with this being Cacharel’s only second 4* Grand Prix and Joe’s fourth; Cacharel had made her debut at this level Grand Prix last Sunday where she also placed.
It was only Michael Duffy with the 13 year-old Lapuccino 2 that managed to jump clear alongside Joe. Their slightly faster time of 42.86 seconds was enough to push them into the lead and take the title with Joe retaining his 2nd place finish when the rest of the jump off field all picked up 4 penalties each. Steve Guerdate took 3rd with Albfuehren’s Maddox.
Joe who is being assisted and mentored by Will and Pippa Funnell couldn’t have been happier with their result when he said “I’m unbelievably proud of Cash [Cacharel]. I’m so lucky to ride such an amazing horse and thank you to Mrs Cocklin who owns her, my whole team and also Will and Pippa Funnell for all their help and training”.
For full results https://bit.ly/2MB9RyI
