Kendra Claricia Brinkop wins Friday’s main class at the Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour, Emilio Bicocchi second

The second day of competition at Dehesa Montenmedio belonged unmistakably to Kendra Claricia Brinkop, who emerged as the star of the Andalucía Pre-Sunshine Tour by completing an impressive hat-trick of victories. Riding for Stephex Stables, the German rider claimed three first places, including the day’s most important class, the 1.45 m, confirming an outstanding start to her season.

Currently ranked 154th in the Longines FEI Rankings, Brinkop had already made her mark at last year’s edition by winning the Grand Prix of the second week of the Pre-Tour. Competing in her first show of 2026, she once again demonstrated excellent form, dominating the second day of the Andalusian CSI2*.

In the main class, the 1.45 m, Brinkop topped the leaderboard aboard Sniper des Lilas Blancs, a promising eight-year-old bay with whom she had already finished second in the 1.35 m class the previous day. A son of Hamilton du Chapitre, Sniper des Lilas Blancs has recorded three victories and one second place with his rider in their last four outings, including two wins achieved at the end of 2025 in Lier.

Finishing behind the German rider were Italy’s Emilio Bicocchi, who took second place with Hemerald d’Argone, and Ireland’s Jack Ryan, third with DSH Lucky Junior. A solid performance also came from Spain’s Luis Ortiz Agüera, who placed fifth with Mr Quincy B, a highly experienced horse recently taken on by the rider.

Brinkop’s second win of the day came in the 1.40 m two-phase class, where she proved the fastest of the 16 combinations to jump clear, riding Eau de Vie Jeleena Dr Z, a daughter of Elvis Ter Putte. Portugal’s Hugo Tavares, already among the stand-out riders on the opening day, followed in second place with Nelleke H.

The 1.30 m and 1.20 m classes, meanwhile, went to Portuguese riders. Nuno Tiago Gomes claimed the 1.30 m with Harmonie des Douces, a daughter of Kannan, while Cristiana Viegas won the 1.20 m aboard Luigi 7.

There was also plenty of excitement in the class reserved for five-year-old horses, run against the clock under Table A rules without a jump-off, which ended in a five-way tie among the clear rounds. Two of these horses were ridden by Pedro Mateos Bernáldez: Lavezzy du Ouchy, by By Cera D’Ick, and Dia Labetta PS, by Diablue PS.

The day concluded with the seven-year-old category, where Kendra Claricia Brinkop put the final seal on her outstanding performance by winning with To Me-K van Kattenheye, a daughter of Van Gogh, with whom she had already claimed victory in the same class on the opening day.

An enthusiastic atmosphere and extremely positive impressions accompanied this second day of competition at Dehesa Montenmedio. The Andalucía Sunshine Tour is sponsored by the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, and by the Province of Cádiz—a partnership that underlines the institutional commitment to promoting the region, supporting international-level events, and developing initiatives with strong economic, cultural and tourism impact.

Photos Credits: Moisés Basallote

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