Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – March 23, 2023 – The Irish are on a roll, and their winning streak in the top classes continued on Friday during the seventh and final week the XIX Andalucía Sunshine Tour. After winning the €10,650 Big Tour Qualifier CSI 4* yesterday with Fame, Richard Howley (IRL) had his second win in a row, this time teaming up with Mansini LTD in the €27,300 Dunas de Barbate Speed Challenge CSI 4*.
Richard has not been riding Lennart Lindelöw`s 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Caressini L x Marramas) for very long, indeed he took on the ride just last February and has won his last three classes here at the Tour with him, winning both the Barceló Conil Playa and the Andalucía Trophy classes last week. The dynamic dou delivered another foot perfect round in 65.19 seconds for their third victory..
Another top Irish rider claimed second place in the 1.50m class. Michael Pender (IRL), who had already been the winner of the demanding Suzuki Grand Prix CSI 4* last Sunday with HHS Calais, rode the very fast HHS Fast Forward (Fortunus x Cavalier Royale) towards silver honors, registering no penalties in 65.56 seconds. Michael also won the 7-year-old final with HHS Cyprus this week, making it clear that the HHS stud have a superb selection of horses coming through their breeding programmes.
The third spot on the podium was conquered by a French rider as Edward Levy (FRA) and Confidence d’Ass (Diamant de Semilly x Berlin) galloped across the finish line in flawless fashion, being timed in 66.11 seconds.
Final Results – €27,300 Dunas de Barbate CSI 4*
1) Richard Howley (IRL) & Mansini LTD – 0 – 65.19
2) Michael Pender (IRL) & HHS Fast Forward – 0 – 65.56
3) Edward Levy (FRA) & Confidence d’Ass – 0 / 0 – 66.11
Source: Press Release (edited) from the Sunshine Tour
Photos: © Sunshine Tour
Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News Ireland
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