Vejer de la Frontera, Spain – September 17, 2020 – Competition here at the Autumn Sunshine Tour is gaining momentum this week as more riders arrive with their horses.  There are now more than 300 horses competing over the week.  The Young Horses are progressing well over the courses  which are carefully designed to develop and consolidate their training, and this is a great part of the spectacle here at the new Autumn Tour.

The biggest class of the day was the Big Tour €25,400 Speed Challenge CSI 3*, which was set a 1.45m and was held on grass in the David Broome arena. Designed by Javier Trenor (ESP) the class proved a fair test for the participants. The winner was the Spanish rider Mariano Martínez Bastida (ESP) who stopped the clock in 60.90 seconds with Cleartoon , and owned by Tania Moody. 

Matt Sampson (GBR) had to make do with second place today, backed by a penalty-free performance and a time of 61.17 seconds and just missing out on another victory in this class with Curraghgraighe Obos Flight (Obos Quality 004 x Errigal Flight) owned by Rachael Evison. 

However, the Brit had another reason to celebrate when his horse Firefly W (Nabab de Reve x Voltaire), beautifully ridden by Kara Chad (CAN), who took third place close on his heels but just over a second slower. 

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from the Sunshine tour

Photo: © Moises Basallote Fotografia