Emelie Pieper wins the CSI3* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour Grand Prix

Vejer, January 24, 2026.

Female riders are setting the pace in the Grand Prix events of the internationals leading up to the XXXII Andalucía Sunshine Tour. Last weekend, Switzerland’s Sasha Barthe claimed victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix, and this afternoon it was Germany’s Emelie Pieper who took the top honours.

A day full of atmosphere and excitement was enjoyed at Dehesa Montenmedio with the running of the penultimate day of the CSI3* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour. The schedule featured seven international classes and two regional ones, held across four arenas.

The highlight of the day was the Grand Prix, the only class held in Arena 5 (Milton). It was a competition with all the excitement and difficulty of a major event and came close to staying in Spain, as Julio Arias and Filou du Manoir — the combination that won the gold medal at the Spanish Championships at this very venue — were just a step away from victory. The rider from Asturias and the son of Salto de l’Isle posted the fastest time of the five combinations that qualified for the jump-off, but a rail down dropped them to third place.

Victory went to Emelie Pieper with Come To Me. The German rider and the son of Cornet Obolensky produced the fastest time of the two riders who finished the jump-off without faults. Belgian rider Roy van Beek took second place with Cavoiro-H Old.

In Arena 18 (Big Star), the 1.45m and 1.35m classes were held. In the former, Riccardo Pisani left his mark. The Italian rider, currently ranked 193rd in the FEI ranking and a competitor at the 2025 European Championships, claimed victory with Chacco’s Lawito PS, an 11-year-old son of Chacco-Blue. Edouard Schmitz, winner of one of yesterday’s classes, finished second with Karel Dorrman, a son of Dakar VDL.

Portuguese riders once again tasted victory during the day, with the competitive Antonio Matos Almeida taking the win with Volver de la Vigne in the 1.40m class, which, like the 1.20m class, was held in Arena 19 (Deister). The Portuguese rider had already won one of last weekend’s classes with this experienced horse, a son of Diamant de Semilly. Britain’s Chloe Winchester finished second with Exited Z, while Robin Vermeir, another rider standing out in the Cádiz internationals, took third place with Sisley van de Hazenhoek. In the 1.20m class, Alfie Bradstock and Gladstone claimed victory, marking the second consecutive win for the British rider and the son of Der Senaat.

In the 1.35m speed class, victory went to Belgium’s Wilm Vermeir, who is proving to be one of the most exciting competitors in the speed classes with Adelio, a nine-year-old son of Adagio de Talm. Italy’s Maria Vittoria Gaffuri finished second with Cafeine des Roches, while Portugal’s Hugo Tavares with Nelleke H and Martim Portela with Inco van den Bisschop took third and fourth place, respectively.

Young Horses

The two CSIYH classes, for five- and six-year-olds, were held in Arena 12 (Cumano). In the six-year-old class, Jaroslav Sima added another victory with Uquila, a daughter of El Barone 111 Z, who continues to show great competitiveness. The five-year-old class, as on previous days, was run without a jump-off, with all clear rounds sharing first place. Among them was For Quiwi (For Carsten x Quiwi Dream), ridden by Carlos Lange.

Regional Classes

As for the regional competitions, today once again featured classes at 1.00m and 1.10m. In the 1.00m class there was only one competitor: Mª Ángeles Macías with Baron JG. In the 1.10m class, Spanish amateur rider Salvador Cámara, with just two years of experience, once again finished in third place, this time with Guess Galente. Ada Borella also repeated her position at the top of the podium with Pegasus Jappeloup, while second place went to Manuel Román with Podges Dream.

The XXXII 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 collaboration that reinforces the institutional commitment to promoting the region, boosting internationally renowned events, and supporting the economic, cultural and tourism development of the area.