British riders soar to success on the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.

Monday 13 February 2023

The CSI4* 1.55m Horseware Big Tour Grand Prix closed off the first week of competition at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour on Sunday, 12 February 2023 and it was Matthew Sampson who soared to victory aboard his own and Rachael Evison’s 14-year-old mare Ebolensky.

Over Uliano Vezzani's thirteen-fence track in the stunning David Broome arena, nine of the 49 horse-and-rider combinations in the Grand Prix answered all the questions asked. In the jump-off, only two of the nine that returned kept a clean sheet - and fastest was Sampson and Ebolensky, with a time of 39.68 seconds. Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) and In Time took the runner-up position, after stopping the clock on 40.94 seconds. Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Commissar Pezi had the fastest time in the jump-off - 38.67 - but picking up four faults, the pair settled for third place.

Following his win, Matthew said of Ebolensky: "She's an amazing horse. We've had her since she was 7 years old and I brought her here when she was 8 and she has been here most years since.

“She won the Grand Prix at The London International Horse Show in December, and this is the next big Grand Prix since then. She's just an incredible horse, she loves the facilities here and the grass rings. I'm very lucky to have her.

“I thought it was a really good course; it wasn't massively huge, but it was difficult and technical. I think the course builder did a great job," Sampson said. "Luckily, the jump-off went to plan for me, so, a good day!"

In the CSI4* 1.50m Medium Grand Prix, jumped in the Hickstead arena, Great Britain’s Scott Brash finished in second place riding Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s nine year old grey gelding Hello Valentino. Jana Wargers (GER) took the top honours riding Deesse de Coquerie. Last to go in the jump-off, Wargers snatched the win from Brash taking 2.74 seconds off the time of the former World Number one. Third place went to Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Viper Z.

In the CSI4* 1.45m Small Tour Grand Prix, Nicole Lockhead Anderson placed third with Alexander Thies’ 10-year-old bay mare Catino. They crossed the finish in a quick time of 39.69 seconds. The class was won by Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRE) who rode Cuffesgrange Cavadora to take the win in just 38.63 seconds, the only pair to cross the finish line in under 39 seconds. Second place went to Marcelo Chirico Ferreira (URU) with Deluxe du Plasson in a time of 39.26 seconds. Skye Higgin, riding Willy Matton’s Gotcha, Remy Ellis, riding her own Flinton C N, and Sally Hopkinson, riding David Hopkinson Ltd’s Fadograaf, also flew the flag for Great Britain and rounded out the top ten, finishing in sixth, seventh and ninth place respectively.

Andalucía Sunshine Tour Week 1 – Sunday, 12 February 2023
CSI4* 1.55m Horseware Big Tour Grand Prix Results

1st - Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Ebolensky – 0/0 – 39.68 seconds
2nd - Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) & In Time – 0/0 – 40.94 seconds
3rd - Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Commissar Pezi – 0/4 – 38.67 seconds

Find the full results for the CSI4* Horseware Big Tour Grand Prix here.

Andalucía Sunshine Tour Week 1 – Sunday, 12 February 2023
CSI4* 1.50m Medium Tour Grand Prix Results

1st - Jana Wargers (GER) & Deesse de Coquerie – 0/0 – 39.54 seconds
2nd - Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Valentino – 0/0 – 42.28 seconds
3rd - Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Viper Z – 0/0 – 42.43 seconds

Find the full results for the CSI4* Medium Tour Grand Prix here.

Andalucía Sunshine Tour Week 1 – Sunday, 12 February 2023
CSI4* 1.45m Small Tour Grand Prix Results

1st – Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRE) & Cuffesgrange Cavadora – 0/0 – 38.63 seconds
2nd – Marcelo Chirico Ferreira (URU) & Deluxe de Plasson – 0/0 – 39.26 seconds
3rd – Nicole Lockhead Anderson (GBR) & Catino – 0/0 – 39.69 seconds

Find the full results for CSI4* Small Tour Grand Prix here.

Image: Equus Media

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