Belgium’s Axel Vandoorne continued his red-hot form at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, securing back-to-back victories in the 1.50m Small Grand Prix. Following up on his triumph just seven days prior, Vandoorne once again proved unstoppable in the main arena, piloting Kaline de Fremis (v. Otangelo x Zirocco Blue) to a brilliant double-clear performance.
A competitive jump-off saw riders pushing the pace, but Vandoorne and the 10-year-old chestnut mare, bred by Willy Monnier, stopped the clock in a blistering 27.77 seconds. Their razor-sharp lines and blistering gallop to the final fence left the rest of the field chasing shadows.
Brazil’s Pedro Veniss came closest to threatening the lead aboard the 12-year-old gelding Pipeline (v. Cachassini x Weinberg), bred by M. Krewett. Veniss delivered a clean, fluent round in 28.05 seconds to settle for a well-earned second place.
Great Britain’s Max Routledge rounded out the podium with a stellar display on Me the Rebel R.T. (v. Cornet Obolensky x Baloubet du Rouet). Guiding the 9-year-old stallion, bred by R. Tel, through a pinpoint jump-off effort, Routledge crossed the beam in 28.11 seconds to claim third spot.
Ireland’s Jessica Burke posted a quick clear in 28.92 seconds with BWE Windsor (v. Casallco x Darco) to finish fourth, while France’s Margaux Rocuet secured fifth place aboard the experienced 15-year-old stallion Best of Iscla (v. Diamant de Semilly x Kannan) in 29.12 seconds.
