Niamh McEvoy & “Olympic GL FVD” win the Kar Sport Horses CSI4* Grand Prix at the Andalucía SST

Vejer de la Frontera, March 8

Irish rider Niamh McEvoy claimed victory in the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix – Kar Sport Horses Trophy, the highlight class of the fifth week of competition at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026, held in Arena 3 – Don Antonio (grass) at Dehesa Montenmedio.

Only two combinations out of the 50 starters managed to complete the demanding course designed by Spanish course designer Marcos Núñez García-Delgado without faults. Billy Twomey and Niamh McEvoy therefore advanced to the jump-off, guaranteeing that the victory would go to an Irish rider.

The win ultimately went to Niamh McEvoy riding “Olympic GL FVD”, who completed the jump-off in 54.64 seconds with 3 time penalties. Second place went to fellow Irish rider Billy Twomey, who retired in the jump-off with “Ace Of Hearts Z”, while Portuguese rider Mario Fernandes finished third with “Cool Grey”, completing the first round with 2 time penalties (0+2 in 77.53 seconds). Fourth place went to Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon with “Casalla Blue PS”, followed by Britain’s Guy Williams in fifth with “BH Gringos Legacy”.

The best placed Spanish rider was Santiago Núñez Riva, finishing 21st with “Chakira Z”, followed by Javier González Fraga, 22nd with “Sonic JGF”. Also finishing on eight penalties were Alberto Márquez with “Cool Boy”, Imma Roquet with “Irívola del Maset”, and Armando Trapote with “Caept’n Hook”.

Richard Howley wins the Small Tour Grand Prix – Kar Sport Horses Trophy

In the Small Tour Grand Prix (1.45m LR) of the CSI4*, Irish rider Richard Howley took victory after producing the fastest clear round in the jump-off with “Caprice d’Elle”, stopping the clock at 39.02 seconds. Second place went to Molly Hughes Bravo with “HHS Mercedes” (0/40.42s), while Britain’s Ronnie Jones finished third with “Thomascourt Emirates” (0/40.75s).

Among the Spanish riders, Pello Elórduy placed eighth with “Champenoise de Rampan”, after collecting four penalties in the jump-off. Also competing were Joel Vallés Rosell with “Chalawito PS”, Juan Riva Gil with “Victoria d’Argent”, Hugo Álvarez Amaro with “Netsky CK Z”, Mario Peña Sánchez with “Chipotle”, Felipe Villanueva Alonso with “Herria de Soule”, and Alejandro Fernández Sánchez with “Chadelia PS”.

Ciaran Nallon won the Geolastic Trophy yesterday with Imma Roquet second

In the previous day’s competition, Irish rider Ciaran Nallon, from Ludger Beerbaum’s stable, won the Geolastic Trophy, producing the fastest clear round in the jump-off with “Little Special in Red M” (0/34.23s).

Imma Roquet, rider for Yeguada El Maset, also delivered a clear round riding the homebred CDE “Dalia del Maset”, finishing second (0/35.24s), while Germany’s Maximilian Schmid finished third with “Hetty Emaire” (0/35.87s).

Among the Spanish riders, in addition to Roquet’s second place, Armando Trapote competed with “Bella PS”, Pilar Cordón with “Noblesse du Palis”, Alex Codina Leria with “London Blue”, Antonio Mariñas Soto with “Expresso Minotiere”, and Otti Verdú Vidal with “Baccarat Fontaine”.

Alex Codina Leria wins the Big Tour 1.45m class with “London Blue”

Spanish rider Alex Codina Leria won the Big Tour 1.45m class after setting the fastest time with “London Blue” (0/58.27s). Second place went to French rider Julien Anquetin with “Izarra Tame” (0/58.30s), while Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen finished third with “Ijump” (0/62.40s).

Another Spanish rider, Pilar Cordón, also placed among the top results, finishing seventh with “Cornetto de Ultra Z”.

Amelie Gachoud wins today’s two-phase special with “Hello Franklin”

British rider Amelie Gachoud won the two-phase special class after posting the fastest time with “Hello Franklin” (0/32.85s). Second place went to Moroccan rider Jad Guerraoui with “No Nonsens” (0/34.18s), while France’s Alexandre Boudarel finished third with “Hip Hop de B'Neville” (0/34.25s).

Among the Spanish riders, Alberto Márquez Galobardes placed ninth with “For Jump des Horts”. Also competing were José Díaz Vecino with “Helios de Riverland”, Antonio Mariñas Soto with “Expresso Minotiere”, Otti Verdú Vidal with “Gloria Casa Ballonga”, Adrián Berganza with “Nabila”, Oliver Lange Fraile with “Hypothese Manciaise”, Telmo Busca Roca with “Enjoy du Herrin”, and Marta Mesa del Peral with “Cornet de Diamanty Z”.

Juan Riva Gil wins the 1.35m class with “Amaretto du Surgeon”

Spanish rider Juan Riva Gil won the 1.35m two-phase special class after setting the fastest time with “Amaretto du Surgeon” (0/32.74s). Second place went to José Antonio García Diana with “Marola” (0/35.15s), while Ricardo Jurado Narváez finished third with “Stella” (0/37.78s). Spanish riders occupied all three podium places.

The Circuito Hípico del Sol therefore concludes its fifth week of competition in the 32nd edition of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour. The event receives institutional support from the Junta de Andalucía — through the Regional Ministry of Tourism and Andalucía Exterior — and the Provincial Council of Cádiz.

From next Tuesday, competition will resume with the sixth week of the tour, featuring the CSI for young riders, including the Children, Juniors and Young Riders categories, with a strong field of international participants expected.

FULL RESULTS
https://www.sunshinetour.net/resultados/xxxii-andalucia-sunshine-tour-2026/48606738