Andalucía Sunshine Tour

Almost 600 Young Horses took to the arenas, a record number of participants, on the first day of the 2022, Andalucía Sunshine Tour
In total, 583 Young Horses jumped in the 5, 6 and 7yr old classes each of which were split into two sections, here at the world’s largest showjumping event.
It was obvious today, that the Andalucía Sunshine Tour has become the world’s largest outdoor gathering of Young Horses. With numbers of participating horses beating all records here, at 583 horses across the three age groups, it is an undeniable fact that horses from all over Europe and indeed, the World are being prepared here for this year’s season. With three arenas open, each holding two classes for each age group, and ample areas for warm up, schooling and two clear round arenas, Montenmedio started off this 7 week Tour in style at 09:00; with the last competitor leaving the
arena just after 18:30.
This year the sponsorship of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour, is by the Ministry of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and the Local Administration of the Junta de Andalucía,
Tourism and Sports of Andalucía (Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local de la Junta de Andalucía, through Turismo y Deporte de Andalucía).
The 7yr old classes were the only classes that were ‘competitive’ today. In the first section, Austrian rider, Bianca Babanitz and ‘Bella E Impossibile BBA’ were the winners of this 2 phase, Special. Their time in the second phase was just 24.99s the only pair to finish in under 25s: this mare is by Lavagon, Dam Sire, Lando. Bulgarian rider Konstantin Van Damme was second on the gelding, ‘Kilnaboy Captain’ (by Nameless R, D.S. Chin Chin) in just 26.05s. Third was the Swedish rider Jacob Hellström with ‘Cidfir EN’; fourth, Kendra Claricia Brinkop from Germany, riding ‘I’m Fancy VDM Z’ and in fifth was the Turkish rider Derin Dermirsoy with ‘Faline Des Chaines’.
In the second section the Spanish rider, Pello Elorduy Ibarzabal with ‘Furiazzo de L’Aubree’ was first, in 25.48s. In second was the German rider, Helmut Schönstetter
with ‘Campino MR’, (by Colestus, D.S. Clinton). Third was British rider, Emily Routledge with ‘Dia Centa PS’; fourth the Italian, Luca Moneta with ‘First Lady du Bary’ and in fifth was the Portuguese rider, Adir Días de Abreu with ‘Feline De B’Neville’.
There were 175 7yr olds, across the two sections, in this 1.30m class and 122 horses jumped clear.
The 6yr old class had 253 horses taking to the arena and once again this age group was split into two section as this was the biggest Young Horse age group of the day. The class was 1.15m, and took place in arena 8, which is named after Baloubet de Rouet.
A total of 179 horses jumped their first clear rounds today, and this will be the first result counted towards to their ‘sum total of clear's, allowing them to qualify for the Finals which are held on the 23rd of February. In order to qualify for the Final they will need a total of four clear rounds across this first three weeks of jumping.
In the 5yr old classes there were 155 competitors. The two sections of the class were held in the arena 18 and the course was set with a maximum height of 1.05m. Today
on their first outing, an impressive 96 horses jumped double clear rounds. Competition continues tomorrow with another busy day and all the sections of the
Young Horse Classes. The maximum height of the fences goes up in all groups but only by 5cm in the 5 and 6yr old classes, that will be 2 phase Sp, classes; whilst the 7yr olds will be a speed class (FT) in 1.30.
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