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Swiss precision in the CSI2* Grand Prix at the Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour
Vejer, January 18th, 2026.
Swiss rider Sasha Barte claimed victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix held at the Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour, the feature class of the competition that took place this weekend at the Dehesa Montenmedio facilities.
The CSI2* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour came to a close with the first of the two competitions scheduled as a prelude to the XXXII Andalucía Sunshine Tour. Four intense days of competition served as a warm-up and delivered very positive impressions ahead of the coming weeks.
On the final day, eight classes were contested: four CSI2* competitions, two young horse classes and two regional events, completing a varied and high-level program.
The Grand Prix, held on Arena 5 (Milton), was the highlight of the weekend. Sasha Barte emerged victorious, making the most of her numerical advantage, as she was the only rider to qualify for the jump-off with two horses. After securing her final win of 2025 at these same facilities during the Andalucía October Tour, the Swiss rider opened the 2026 season by once again topping the podium at Montenmedio.
Victory came aboard Essenar High Hopees, an experienced 15-year-old horse by Phin-Phin. Their round was the fastest among the five faultless combinations in a jump-off that featured nine qualified pairs.
Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop, rider for Stephex Stables, narrowly missed another win, finishing second with Replay van’t Paradijs and rounding off an excellent weekend. Third place went to France’s Nicolas Deseuzes with Horus d’Aiguilly.
In the 1.35m class, held on Arena 8 (Baloubet du Rouet), the Portuguese national anthem played once again thanks to a lightning-fast round by Martim Portela with Inco van de Bisschop. Belgium’s Wilm Vermeir finished second with Adelio, while Germany’s Maximilian Weishaupt took third place with Juna van de Heffinck.
The 1.30m class, like the Grand Prix held on Arena 5 (Milton), saw clear German dominance. Rafael Eder claimed victory with Celebrity-H, followed by Maximilian Weishaupt aboard Stakkadine. In the 1.25m class, the fastest round belonged to Belgium’s Robin Vermeir with Casallino vh Hederikshof Z.
Spotlight on young horses
In the seven-year-old class, victory went to Like A G6 MKM Z (by Levisto Z, out of a mare by Laudatus), ridden by Belgian rider Cassandre Malherbe, a regular competitor at Dehesa Montenmedio. The class was marked by a high number of clear rounds, reflecting the excellent level of the field. The podium was completed by LLS Kite Runner, ridden by Britain’s James Whitaker, and Januzaj, a son of Jaloubet K VDL ridden by Jaroslav Sima.
The five-year-old class, run without the clock, also delivered very positive impressions, with five horses sharing first place. Among them, once again standing out were Lavezzy du Ouchy and Día Labetta PS, both ridden by Spanish rider Pedro Mateos Bernáldez.
Next stop: a CSI3*
Competition will continue next weekend with the CSI3*, the final show before the start of the XXXII Andalucía Sunshine Tour, one of the most important equestrian circuits in the world.
The event is sponsored by the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Department of Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, and the Provincial Council of Cádiz, a collaboration that reinforces institutional commitment to promoting the region, supporting internationally renowned events, and fostering the area’s economic, cultural, and tourism development.
18/01/2026 by Sunshinetour News , Press releases
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