Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – February 08, 2025 – An intense jump-off took place today in the €28,800 Tesalia Small Grand Prix CSI 4*, held in the main sand arena Milton, sponsored by Bodegas Tesalia, a winery led by rider Natalia Golding in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema, where 22 hectares combine the production of high-quality wines with the breeding and training of horses.
With thirteen horse-rider combinations in the jump-off, British rider Graham Gillespie (GBR) and his 16-year-old stallion Warriors Glory (Warrior x Caretino Glory) took the victory at the last moment, second place was for the French rider Pénélope Leprevost by just three hundredths of a second.
The French rider had completed the course with Djagger Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Apache D’Adriers) in 37.95 seconds, but Gillespie stopped the clock at 37.92 seconds, securing the win in this important qualifier calss for the Longines FEI Ranking.
The victory was even more special considering Warriors Glory’s incredible comeback story. Having been retired 16 months ago due to a severe tendon injury, the stallion defied the odds thanks to groundbreaking treatment from Equi Laser in the Netherlands
Speaking after the win, Sean Cubitt, co-owner of Warriors Glory, expressed his amazement at the horse’s return to competition:
“Two vets told us he would never jump again. We found this company in Holland called Equi Laser, and at first, I thought, ‘That’s never going to work.’ But they took him in for six weeks—and kept him for fourteen months! The guy rode him every day, treated him like a normal horse, turned him out in the field, and lasered him daily.”
Now, in just his second show back, Warriors Glory has already secured a world-ranking victory—a truly astonishing turnaround.
“What a retirement, though!” Cubitt added with a smile. “Unbelievable. I’m so happy with it.”
With this spectacular performance, Gillespie and Warriors Glory have proven they are back at the top level, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
English rider James Whitaker finished third with Just Call Me Henry, a ten-year-old son of Argento. Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen (NED) and Cupcake Z (Chacco-Blue x Nissan Caretano Z) placed fourth, while Eden Leprevost (FRA) shared the podium with her mother, securing fifth place with Darkhorse Brimbelles (Air Jordan x Diamant de Semilly).
Final Results – €28,800 Tesalia Small Grand Prix CSI 4*
1) Graham Gillespie (GBR) & Warriors Glory – 0 / 0 – 37.92
2) Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) & Djagger Semilly – 0 / 0 – 37.95
3) James Whitaker (GBR) & Just Call Me Henry – 0 / 0 – 38.28
Source: Press Release from Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Photos: © Andalucía Sunshine Tour /
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Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
