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Portuguese riders set the early pace at the XXXII Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Vejer, January 15th, 2026.
The Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour got underway with the first day of competition, a kick-off in which Portuguese riders set the pace by taking the top positions in the main class of the day.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the season has arrived: the start of the XXXII Andalucía Sunshine Tour. The oldest circuit in Spain raised the curtain with the opening day of the CSI2* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour, featuring six classes held across three arenas.
The day clearly had a strong Portuguese flavour. Antonio Matos Almeida confirmed his excellent form by winning the main class, set at 1.40 metres, held in Arena 5 (Milton). Riding Marqués, a 10-year-old by Diarado, he produced the fastest clear round among the 25 combinations that completed the course without penalties. The Portuguese rider rounded off a great day by also taking fourth place with the experienced Volver de la Vigne, a son of Diamant de Semilly.
Another rider from the neighbouring country also stood out: Hugo Tavares finished second with Milow Z, a son of Mylord Carthago out of a Baloubet du Rouet mare.
The second most important class of the day, the 1.35m, took place in Arena 18 (Big Star). There, Estonian rider Margereth Eikner caused a surprise by taking the win with Cardentos Rose Dree Boeken, a daughter of Cardento, leaving Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop in second place aboard Sniper des Lilas Blancs. Third place once again went to Portugal, thanks to Joao Vicente Caldeira with Frisson de B’Neville.
In the 1.30m class, held in Arena 8 (Baloubet du Rouet), victory went to Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir, who, riding Adelio, prevented another Portuguese win. Nuno Tiago Gomes finished second with Harmonie des Douces, Rafael Eden took third place with Celebrity-H, and Spain’s Luis Ortiz Agüera delivered a strong performance to finish fourth with Isseymiyake de Kaps Coco.
Young Horse classes
The opening day’s programme was completed with the first three Young Horse classes, held in different arenas. The 7-year-old class, staged in Arena 5 (Milton), was headed by To Me-K van Kattenheye, a mare by Van Gogh out of a Kannan dam, ridden by Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop.
In the 6-year-old class, held in Arena 18 (Big Star), the best performance came from Kristal de Mazin, a stallion by Tangelo van Zuuthoeve out of a L’Arc de Triomphe mare, ridden by France’s Mathilde Longy.
The 5-year-old class, held in Arena 8 (Baloubet du Rouet), was run under Table A without a jump-off, so the five horses that finished clear shared first place.
A great atmosphere and excellent sensations marked this opening day of the nine weeks of competition that will take place at Dehesa Montenmedio over the coming months. The Andalucía Sunshine Tour is sponsored by the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, and by the Provincial Council of Cádiz — a partnership that reinforces the institutional commitment to promoting the region, supporting internationally projected events and developing initiatives with a strong economic, cultural and tourism impact in the province.
15/01/2026 by Sunshinetour News , Press releases
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