‘Rakker van ST Anneke’ with Belgian, Thibault Philippaerts, stylish winners of the 8yr old class

‘Hiron D’Elle’ with Swedish, Alexander Zetterman and ‘Baloutina HB’ with German, Katharina Offer complete the podium

The 8yr old class was a 2Ph set at 1.40 and held in the Hickstead arena. The winner was ‘Rakker van ST Anneke’, a gelding by ‘Goldspring van ST Anneke’ x ‘Baltic VDL’ and ridden by Belgian, Thibault Philippaerts. The pair stopped the clock in the second phase in a mere 28.26s, the only ones to come in under 30s. In second place was ‘Hiron D’Elle’ (‘Urano de Cartigny’ x ‘Nippon D’Elle’) ridden by Alex Zetterman for Sweden, third was Katharina Offel, from Germany, with ‘Baloutina HB (‘Balou du Rouet’ x ‘Stakkato’), fourth was ‘Haddock du Tertre ’ (‘Nervoso’ x ‘Putch Des Isles’) with French rider, Faustine Laferrerie and in fifth was ‘Ely des Rosiers Z’ with Nathan Budd from Belgium.

There were two 7yr old classes both 2PhSp, on grass in the Clooney arena. The winner of the first section was the mare, ‘Nova Minka GP’ who is by ‘Cornet Obolensky’ x ‘Warrant’ with Dutch rider Michael Grieve and who hasn’t touched a pole so far in the Andalucía Sunshine Tour. A hair’s breadth behind was ’Abercrombie Pommex Z’ (‘Asca Z’ x ‘Emerald Van’t Ruytershof’) with German rider, Kendra Claricia Brinkop was second  today, with this pair keeping up their superb record not being out of the top 5 in any class so far. In third was ‘Salsa de Septon’ (‘No Commment de Septon’ x ‘Berlin’); with Italian Andrea Calabro; fourth was ‘Cacota’ ridden by Moroccan, Mohammed Azoum and fifth was ‘Cardi MT’(‘Conthargos’ x ‘Christian 25’) ridden by German, Hermit Schönstetter.

The second section was won by ‘Allstar van het Schanske Z’ a gelding by ‘Asca Z’x ‘Manhattan’) and ridden by Stephanie Servais for Belgium. Kendra Claricia Brinkop took the next two places with ‘Sniper Des Lilas Blancs’ (‘Hamilton du Chapitre’ x ‘Calvaro Z’) who is rarely off the podium, followed by ‘Sir Diamant Horta’ (‘Diamant de Semilly’ x ‘Parco’). In fourth was another Belgian pair, ‘Dalido BV Z’ (‘Diamant de Semilly’ x ‘Casper Z’) with Dimme D’Haese and in fifth was ‘Hamos Z’  (‘Halifax Van Het Kluizebos’ x ‘Cicero Z’) ridden by Dutch Roosje Brouwer.

In total, 197 jumped with 122 adding a clear to their tally towards the Finals.

There were also two 6yr old classes, the second of which was split, the classes were against the clock, in the Guaraná Champeix arena. Dimme D’Haese was first in the first class, continuing his success, this time with, ‘Tita Tattoo D’Hoge Rielen’ (‘Nixon Van’t Meulenhof’ x ‘Emmickhoven’s Diego’) continuing where they left off last week. Second and third were British combinations, ‘Mr CO-K van Kattenheye Z’ (‘Mr Uno-K Van’t Kattenheye’ x ‘Cascadello’) with Megan Broadway and ’Oploo’ (‘Zambesi TN’ x ‘Numero Uno’) with Joshua Hutchins. Fourth was ‘Princess of Mary Marais Z’ (‘Presley Boy’ x ‘Tinka’s Boy’) for Portugal with Adir Dias de Abreu and fifth was ‘Angel of Picobello Z’ (‘Aganix du Seigneur’ x ‘Arezzo VDL’) with French rider, Valentin Pacaud.

In the other 6yr old class the winners were Adir Dias de Abreu and Hugo Álvarez Amaro as there were more than 100 horses in the class . ’Juno de Llamosas’ the Spanish horse from Hugo actually had the fastest time of the day, just 60.94s whilst ‘Chinra Imperio Egipcio’ (‘Cornet Obolensky’ x ‘Calvados Z’) stopped the clock mere fractions of a second slower. Both these combinations have already been on the podium here at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour. Not only that, but Hugo also took one of the second places with ‘Thunderbird Van de Derkes LP’, another young horse with excellent results here. The other second place went to Italian, Francesco Correddu with ‘Diana Lady AA’, and he also took third with ‘Danubios’. The other third was taken by ‘Tapis-Plain Van de Lentamel’ with Belgian rider, Ignace Philips de Vuyst.

204 horses jumped in these classes with 102 going clear.

Around 100 horses jumped in the two 5yr old classes , 47 were clear.

That starts off our second week here at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour, kindly sponsored by the Junta de Andalucía, through the Consejería de Turismo y Andalucía Exterior, and the Diputación Provincial de Cádiz. All the Young Horse classes continue tomorrow and the 5yr olds have their first competitive class this week, in 2PhSp format on grass, weather permitting with the second CSI4*of the six during the Tour, starting up on Thursday.