Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – February 18, 2022 – Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and ‘Argentina de la Marchette’ won the ‘Cervezas Victoria’ Trophy CSI 4* on Friday during the second week of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour CSI 4*. The three time Olympic rider who was part of the Belgium team taking bronze in the Tokyo Olympic was our winner today.  The Belgian needs little introduction in the world of showjumping and today, riding his own horse, he was victorious in the feature class of the day.

This Longines Ranking class was held in the main arena and set at 1.50m, it was the biggest class here today.  ‘Argentina de la Marchette’, is a lovely grey mare that is the property of the rider.  Indeed Gregory rode the mare here in the 7-year-old old classes back here in 2019 and has been her partner in the ring since she was 5.  The mare is by ‘Acajou de la Marchette’ who went on to be gelded and competed until he retired in 1.30/1.40m classes,  and the dam sire is ‘Del Piero PB’.  Today they jumped a fabulous clear in the jump off in the very fast time of 34.78 seconds, which proved to be unbeatable in this very demanding class.  Gregory and ‘Argentina de la Marchette’, have already been in the rosettes here at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour and were second in the CSI 4* 145m class on the 11th of this month.  They received their trophy today from Genoveva Ferragut, head of Communication for Cervezas Victoria, brewing company that was the sponsors of the class.

Gregory also had another good result today as he was second in the Big Tour 1.45m class with ‘Sandero’ who is by ‘Sandro Boy’.

In second place in the ‘Cervezas Victoria’ class was the French rider Olivier Perreau (FRA) with ‘GL Events Venezia D’Aiguilly’ (‘Diamant de Semilly’, ds. ‘Quick Star’) in 36.17 seconds, who last year won a 1.50m class here at Montenmedio, and also a 1.55m in Montecarlo last July, not to mention a 1.60m class last year in August, in Valence.  She is a wonderful tribute to her sire ‘Diamant de Semilly’ who sadly passed away this week. 

A pleasant surprise was the Polish rider Maksymilian Wechta (POL), who ‘Chepettano’ towards bronze honors;  and two Swiss riders took the last two top five placings, Thibaut Keller (SUI) with ‘Happy Girl T’ and Alain Jufer (SUI) with ‘Dante NM’.

Final Results – €26,300 Cervezas Victoria CSI 4*

1) Gregory Wathelet (BEL) & Argentina de La Marchette – 0 / 0 – 34.78

2) Olivier Perreau (FRA) & GL Events Venizi d’Aiguilly – 0 / 0 – 36.17

3) Maksymilian Wechta (POL) & Cheppetano – 0 / 0 – 36.55

Source: Press Release from the Sunshine Tour

Photos: © Sunshine Tour / Moises Basallote Fotografia / Ahmed 44 Photography

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