Stephan de Freitas wins the Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix and closes the CSI4 of the ASST

Vejer de la Frontera, 22nd of March

The Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix, the Invitational GP of the Circuito Hípico del Sol and the highlight class of the CSI4*, brought the final week of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026 to a close with a demanding and highly selective course. Designed by Rafael Suárez and his team, the track made a difference from the outset: out of fifty starters, only five combinations reached the jump-off. Spain’s Julio Arias was once again among the best in the Grand Prix.

Victory went to Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha, who produced the fastest double clear with Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (0 – 44.30s). Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy finished close behind in second place with Olympic “GL” “FVD” (0 – 44.97s), also clear, rounding off a strong Sunshine Tour campaign with consistent top results.

Spain’s Julio Arias Cueva completed the podium, taking third place with Filou du Manoir after a jump-off in 45.88 seconds with four faults, and notably as the only Spanish rider in the barrage.

Behind them, Great Britain’s Sameh El Dahan was fourth with Oscar-A, while Ireland’s Jason Foley completed the Top 5 with Chedington Hazy Toulana, both finishing on 8 faults in the jump-off.

Among the Spanish riders, Pilar Cordón with Pica Pica Z placed seventh, while Jesús Garmendia with Caramel Blue PS was eighth. Armando Trapote finished with one rail down, as did Álvaro González de Zárate, both inside the Top 20 alongside Carlos Lange.

Grand Prix classes

The final week also featured strong performances across the other Grand Prix classes, maintaining a high competitive level at all heights.

In the Small Tour Grand Prix (1.45m), Canada’s Kara Chad claimed victory with Chicago after an excellent performance in a very open class, with several combinations fighting against the clock in the jump-off. Spain’s Mario Peña Sánchez secured a solid third place with Lydania KV, confirming his consistency throughout the week.

In the Medium Tour Grand Prix (1.50m), Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy once again topped the podium with BP Rocket Man, capping a particularly successful week in Montenmedio, where she was one of the standout riders of the CSI4*.

These classes confirmed the overall high standard of the circuit, with technical and fast courses demanding precision and competitiveness until the final day.

Leading Spanish results

Among the national highlights, Carlos Bosch Cebrián stood out with a second place in the Medium Tour 1.40m with O’ Balou van de Plataan KAR and a fifth place in the Big Tour 1.45m with Balt KAR.

Also delivering strong performances were Celia Cobo Terán, second in the 1.35m with Etincelle de Saint’a; Nicolás Cobo Terán, fifth in the 1.30m with Xanadu de Olid; and Antonio Mariñas Soto, fourth in the 1.35m with D’Jambo Prova Z.

Saturday, March 21

The Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026 entered the penultimate day of its seventh week this Saturday in Montenmedio, heading into the final stretch of the circuit.

In the CSI4*, the only Spanish victory of the day came from José Bono Rodríguez, who won the Medium Tour 1.30m class with Ali Baba HT, in a competition with a strong Spanish presence among the leading positions. Luis Ortiz Agüera was third with Isseymiyake de Kaps Coco, while Xavier Cebrià Soriano finished fifth with Jazz des Matis.

The Small Grand Prix (1.45m) saw Imma Roquet Autonell deliver the best Spanish result with fifth place aboard the CDE Icenta del Maset, in a class won by Germany’s Anna Maria Kuhlmann with Pegasus Deau Re Mi.

Other notable Spanish results included Guillermo González Alonso, third in the Small Tour 1.35m with Double R Dolly; Carolina Aresu García Obregón, fourth in the Medium Tour 1.35m with Kannansky vd Molenberg Z; and Celia Cobo Terán, second in the Small Tour 1.30m with Etincelle de Saint’a.

Antonio José Vázquez Quintero takes Freestyle win to close CDI3 in Vejer

The CDI3* Dressage Tour at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026 came to an end this Saturday at Dehesa Montenmedio with the Freestyle classes bringing the competition to a close.

In the Grand Prix Kür, Antonio José Vázquez Quintero secured victory with "Tormentoso FSR III" after delivering a solid and well-executed test, scoring 71.175%. Portugal’s João Miguel Torrao finished second with "Lilio MVL" (70.160%), while Rafael Heredia Muñoz completed the podium with "Dimancier SN" (65.890%).

Heredia also stood out in the Intermediate I Freestyle, claiming the win with "Semino SN" (70.334%) as the sole combination in the class.

The day began with the young horse finals, where Paula Hervás García won the 5-year-old category with "Angelo BCN", Roberto Carlos Cruz Rodríguez took victory in the 6-year-olds with "Vivamos", and Rafael Heredia added another win in the 7-year-olds with "Baltik Star".

In the youth divisions, Sofía Barroso Keska won the Children Individual with "Frido", Daniela Cruz Abreu claimed the Junior Freestyle with "Valentina", and Curro Ramírez

Morales topped the Pony Riders Freestyle with "Koningshoek Florian". In the Young Riders Freestyle, Claudia Lledó Ros took the win with "Cocktail", while Alexandre Cheret claimed victory in the U25 Grand Prix Freestyle with "Bamona".

End of the circuit

With this final day, the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026 comes to a close after more than two months of competition, in an edition marked by strong international participation and a high sporting level. Montenmedio once again consolidates its position as one of Europe’s leading show jumping venues. 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.

FULL RESULTS

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

Dressage:

https://online.equipe.com/shows/76335