Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – March 12, 2023 – The top 50 riders from this week took part in the €97,880 Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix CSI 4*, a Longines Ranking class and qualifier for both this year’s European Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics. The stands were full with an enthusiastic crowd on this lovely sunny Andalucia Sunshine Tour day and they weren’t disappointed with participation from many of the top international riders in our sport.
The course was challenging and from the 50 starters only nine managed to jump a clean round on the course designed by Marcos Núñez (ESP). The jump-off was very competitive and our winner, the British rider James Smith (GBR) and the 12-year-old mare Arkuga (Arko III x Heartbreaker) stopped the timers one-hundredth of a second in front of his compatriot Karl Robins (GBR), who ended up taking second place.
James, after winning this 4* ranking class told us: ‘I thought the course was very tough today. I think there was nine clears from 50 starters, it was very testing all the way round. I’m just delighted with my horse, he jumped fantastic and then again in the jump off he was amazing, I’m very grateful to the owners, John and Laura Renwick for allowing me to have the ride on him. He’s just amazing you know and he just gets better and better. It’s my first time here at the Sunshine Tour and I absolutely love it, the rings are amazing, the facilities are great and I definitely plan to be back!’
And we really look forward to seeing him here again!
James’ time was 40.33 seconds while the second-place finishers Karl Robins (GBR) on his own, Equine America G Camille HBF (VDL Zirocco Blue x San Patrignano Cassini) completed the jump-off course in 40.34 seconds, the latter also having two fabulous rounds with the talented 12-year-old mare.
The third spot on the podium was conquered by Spanish rider Manuel Fernández Saro (ESP) with Acoufina PS (Action Breaker x Contefino), earning it backed by a penalty-free performance in 40.69 in the tiebreaker.
The prize giving ceremony was by Cultural Delegate, Antonio González, and the Provincial Sport Delegate Jaime Armario.
Final Results – €97,880 Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix CSI 4*
1) James Smith (GBR) & Arkuga – 0 / 0 – 40.33
2) Karl Robins (GBR) & Equine America G. Camille HBF – 0 / 0 – 40.34
3) Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP) & Acoufina PS – 0 / 0 – 40.69
Source Press Release (edited) from Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Photo: © Andalucía Sunshine Tour / Equs Media / Mackenzie Clarke
Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
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