The second week of the 2024 Andalucía Sunshine Tour is in full swing in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. Thursday's CSI4* 1.50m Big Tour, a Grand Prix qualifier, featured 103 horse-and-rider pairs competing against the clock. The class was divided into two groups for the final standings.
In the first group, Derin Demirsoy (TUR) and the 15-year-old gelding Elzas (Diamant de Semilly x Cornet Obolensky) claimed the top spot with a lightning-fast round in 56.10 seconds. In the second group, Andres Vereecke (BEL) and the 12-year-old mare Call Me de Muze Z (Clarissimo Z x Ramiro Z) secured the lead with a time of 57.12 seconds.
Group one's top three was rounded out by Jordy van Massenhove (BEL) and Danger Civil vh Lindenhof Z (Diamant de Semilly x Silvio I) at 57.34 seconds, followed by Rene Lopez Lizarazo (COL) on Kheros van't Hoogeinde (Echo van T Spieveld x Darco) in 57.89 seconds. In group two, Kars Bonhof (NED) and Ivoor TN (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Verdi TN) claimed the second spot with a time of 57.79 seconds, while Christoph Obernauer (AUT) secured third place with Kleons Renegade (Quintero x Stakkato) at 57.91 seconds.
The 30th-anniversary edition of the Sunshine Tour has set a new record with 3500 horses and over 2000 riders representing 60 different nationalities competing at Montenmedio. The tour will continue until March 24th.
F. © Mackenzie Clark / Andalucia Sunshine Tour