+34 649 293 273 sunshinetour@sunshinetour.net
Spain rakes charge in the Diputación de Cádiz Trophy at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Vejer, February 19, 2026.
Spanish riders made their presence strongly felt at the opening of the third CSI4* competitions of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour. The 1.50m Diputación de Cádiz Trophy, awash in Spain’s red and gold colors, saw clear Spanish dominance and crowned Julio Arias as the winner.
Following the finals for 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses held on Wednesday, the spotlight shifted to the CSI4* classes at Dehesa Montenmedio, host venue of the longest-running circuit in Spain. And during a flagship week marked by high participation and maximum sporting demands, the home riders rose to the occasion with authority.
The Diputación de Cádiz Trophy brought together 71 horse-and-rider combinations, of which 24 completed the course without penalties. Among them, Julio Arias posted the fastest time with Conisha des Forêts, securing a brilliant victory in a class of outstanding quality.
Very close behind was Kevin González de Zárate, who narrowly missed out on the win after another flawless round with Chinixen. The podium was completed by Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen, who finished third with Os le Petit Cheval.
The other two Big Tour classes also delivered strong competition. Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop claimed victory in the 1.35m with Atigo Z, while the Netherlands’ Rogier Linssen won the 1.30m with Bel-Mia SP.
The high number of entries—more than one hundred in each class—made it necessary to split the results of the four Medium Tour competitions held during the day.
In the 1.45m class, Czech rider Albert Pisarik once again demonstrated his excellent form by leading the first group with Kyfo, securing his third win in four starts at this edition. The second group was won by Morocco’s Ghali Chaoui with Esperenzo. In that classification, Sweden’s Filippa Fant finished second with CDE Lordana DC, a mare bred at the Asturian stud La Mesada.
The 1.40m Medium Tour class also produced two winners: Germany’s Carola Wegener with Chavanna PS and France’s Emeric George with Herblock du Ru.
In the 1.35m Medium Tour, victories went to Kevin González de Zárate with Helsinki and Britain’s Gemma Stevens with Johan-Some. In both classifications, Spanish riders secured third place: Armando Trapote with Karl P and Francisco López Amador with Quick Big 3.
In the 1.30m class, the wins went to Dutch rider Britt van Erp with Vosje and once again to Kendra Claricia Brinkop, this time with Ma Belle.
The day also included the weekly finals for 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses. In the 5-year-old category, Emma Cocco Jazz (Emerald x Van Helsing), ridden by Nojus Chmieliauskas, claimed victory; in the 6-year-olds, Popstar AD (Emir R x Quidam de Revel), ridden by Aniek Diks, took the win; and in the 7-year-old final, Dillon (Creevy Pacino Cruise x Unbelievable Darco), ridden by Laura Mantel, emerged victorious.
The Andalucía Sunshine Tour is sponsored by the Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, and by the Provincial Council of Cádiz—an institutional backing that strengthens the event’s international profile and its sporting, economic, and tourism impact on the region.
In a week defined by quality and high demands, the Diputación de Cádiz Trophy sent a clear message: Spanish talent is ready to compete and win at the highest level.
19/02/2026 by Sunshinetour News , Press releases
Te puede interesar
Stephan de Freitas wins the Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix and closes the CSI4 of the ASST
SunshineTour, 22/03/2026
The seventh and final week of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026 gets underway
SunshineTour, 18/03/2026
Stephan de Freitas Barcha wins the CSI4* Stephex Grand Prix at the ASST 2026
SunshineTour, 15/03/2026