Niamh McEvoy Claims CSI4* Grand Prix Victory at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Spectacular sport during the fifth week of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2026, where the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix – Kar Sport Horses Trophy saw Irish rider Niamh McEvoy claim victory aboard Olympic GL FVD. The highlight class took place on the grass arena of Arena 3 – Don Antonio at Dehesa Montenmedio, over a demanding course designed by Spanish course designer Marcos Núñez García-Delgado.
Out of the 50 combinations at the start, only two managed to complete the first round fault-free: Niamh McEvoy and her compatriot Billy Twomey. The two Irish riders therefore progressed to the jump-off, already guaranteeing victory for Ireland.
In the decisive jump-off, McEvoy and Olympic GL FVD stopped the clock in 54.64 seconds, incurring three time penalties, which nevertheless proved sufficient to secure the win. Twomey, riding Ace Of Hearts Z, retired in the jump-off and finished in second place.
The third place on the podium went to Portuguese rider Mario Fernandes with Cool Grey, who completed the first round with two time penalties (0+2 in 77.53).
Just outside the podium were Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon with Casalla Blue PS and Britain’s Guy Williams with BH Gringos Legacy. The best-placed Spanish rider was Santiago Núñez Riva, who finished 21st with Chakira Z, followed by Javier González Fraga with Sonic JGF.
Richard Howley wins the Small Tour Grand Prix
In the CSI4* Small Tour Grand Prix (1.45m LR), victory once again went to an Irish rider: Richard Howley, who delivered the fastest clear round in the jump-off with Caprice d’Elle, stopping the clock at 39.02 seconds.
Molly Hughes Bravo finished second with HHS Mercedes (0/40.42), while Britain’s Ronnie Jones completed the podium with Thomascourt Emirates (0/40.75). Among the Spanish riders, the best result came from Pello Elórduy, who placed eighth with Champenoise de Rampan, collecting four penalties in the jump-off.
Nallon shines again in the Geolastic Trophy
The previous day had already seen Ciaran Nallon, a rider from Ludger Beerbaum’s stable, take victory in the Geolastic Trophy with Little Special in Red M. The pair produced the fastest clear jump-off round, finishing on 0 penalties in 34.23 seconds.
Spain’s Imma Roquet secured second place riding the homebred Dalia del Maset, finishing clear in 35.24, while Germany’s Maximilian Schmid completed the podium with Hetty Emaire (0/35.87).
Spanish and British wins in the other classes
In the Big Tour 1.45m, Spanish rider Alex Codina Leria claimed victory with London Blue, producing the fastest round in 58.27 seconds, ahead of France’s Julien Anquetin with Izarra Tame and the Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen with Ijump.
The two-phase special class was won by Britain’s Amelie Gachoud, who took the top spot with Hello Franklin thanks to a time of 32.85 seconds. She was followed by Morocco’s Jad Guerraoui with No Nonsens and France’s Alexandre Boudarel with Hip Hop de B’Neville.
Finally, the 1.35m two-phase special class produced an all-Spanish podium, with Juan Riva Gil claiming victory aboard Amaretto du Surgeon, ahead of José Antonio García Diana with Marola and Ricardo Jurado Narváez with Stella.
Looking ahead to week six
With these results, the fifth week of the 32nd edition of the Circuito Hípico del Sol – Andalucía Sunshine Tour has come to a close. The event receives institutional support from the Junta de Andalucía and the Diputación de Cádiz.
Competition will resume on Tuesday with the sixth week of the tour, dedicated to the international youth categories Children, Juniors and Young Riders, which will bring numerous promising young talents of the show jumping world to Vejer de la Frontera.
Ph. Credits: Mackenzie Clark
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