CSI3* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour: Jack Ryan and Edouard Schmitz Shine on Friday in Vejer
Vejer de la Frontera – Although today is Saturday, attention remains firmly focused on Friday’s outstanding sport at the CSI3* of the Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour, staged at the renowned Andalucía Sunshine Tour venue. The second day of competition delivered top-level performances, confirming the event’s status as a key early-season fixture on the international calendar.
The highlight of the day was the 1.45m CSI3* class, where Ireland’s Jack Ryan claimed a convincing victory aboard Keatingstown Mister Cool, a 10-year-old gelding by Messenger out of a Chacco Blue mare. Over a technical and forward course, Ryan demonstrated precision and pace to secure the win ahead of Germany’s Jens Baackmann with Cinderella and the Netherlands’ Rogier Linssen riding Commander Lux. All three combinations produced double clear rounds. Best of the Spanish riders was Castora Ortiz, who finished sixth with Robinson.
Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz was once again in the spotlight in the 1.40m class, returning to the podium with Agassi Z. Germany’s Emilie Pieper completed the podium in second and third place with Pole Position 28 and ABC Saving Grace. The strongest Spanish performance came from Carolina Villanueva Suárez, partnered with Emotion de l’Extases.
Margins were razor-thin in the 1.30m CSI3* class, underlining the technical level required to succeed at this tour. Victory went to Britain’s Chloe Winchester with Exited Z, who stopped the clock at 23.67 seconds without faults. Spain’s Luis Ortiz Agüera followed closely in second place with Isseymiyake de Kaps Coco (23.82 seconds), while Edouard Schmitz secured third with Cadmandu in 23.86 seconds.
A strong British presence characterised the 1.20m class, won by Alfie Bradstock with Gladstone. Germany’s Carola Wegener finished second aboard Wolf of Wall Street 3, while Portugal’s Matilde Pais claimed third place with Demi Tour. Just outside the podium, Spain’s Álvaro Blanco-Traba placed fourth with Balsamo Beaulieu.
Young Horses
The programme also featured competitive young horse classes. In the seven-year-old category, Jack Ryan continued his successful run, taking the win with Ever So Clever Gm Z (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Quite Easy) after a clear round in 64.21 seconds. Jaroslav Sima finished second with Januzaj, followed by Kendra Claricia Brinkop in third place with To Me-K van Kattenheye.
The five-year-old class, run under Table A without a jump-off, resulted in a shared victory, with eleven of the thirteen starters finishing on a zero score. Notable performances came from Spanish riders Pedro Mateos with Lavezzy du Ouchy, Carlos Lange with Chubakkos Claus and For Quiwi, and Oliver Glenn Lange with Corna Blue PS.
Regional Classes
In the regional competitions, the 1.00m class was won by Gabriel Kilzie with Cathano 3, ahead of Mª Ángeles Macías riding Baron JG. The 1.10m class saw a larger field, with victory going to Ada Boerlla and Pegasus Jappeloup, followed by Portugal’s Mafalda Reymão with Lady Sobral Da Costa and Spain’s Salvador Cámar with Brahms de Lavaure.
As the CSI3* Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour continues today, Saturday, the standard of sport witnessed on Friday has set the tone for an exciting weekend of international show jumping.
Photo credits: Moisés Basallote
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