Another week of FEI-level classes was kicked off yesterday during the Vilamoura Champions Tour at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre in Quarteira, Faro, Portugal. The first major contest of the week, a 1.45m speed challenge was won by Francisco José Mesquita Musa (BRA) and Sharapova Império Egípcio.

The Brazilian guided Haras Império’s Egípcio’s 16-year-old Brazilian Sport Horse mare (Baloubet du Rouet x Welton Ambassador) to victory by leaving all the poles on their cups and registering the fastest time of 60.23 seconds.

Eugenie Angot (FRA) and Turquoise d’Ivraie (Quick Star x Cook du Midour) were the closest ones, just shy of being a full second slower, going through the timers in 61.17 seconds.

Alexander Butler (IRL) and Dekato (Upgrade x Stakkato) earned bronze honors backed by a penalty-free performance in 62.61 seconds.