Text © World of Showjumping

Saturday's biggest win at the 2024-edition of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, went to Ireland's Richard Howley and the 15-year-old Mansini Ltd (Caressini L x Marramas) who topped the CSI4* 1.50m Big Tour class.

Counting for the Longines Ranking Group D, the competition against the clock had 72 horse-and-rider-combinations lined up for the challenge and it was Howley and Mansini Ltd that produced the quickest time of the day when taking the win in 63.25 ahead of Nicole Lockhead Anderson (GBR) and Madagascar Dwerse Hagen (Va Vite x Diabeau) in second in 63.57. Jesus Garmendia Echevarria (ESP) and Callias (Companiero x Casco) placed third in 65.05, while Billy Twomey (IRL) and Diego del Caribe (Kannan x Quidam de Revel) finished fourth in 67.03, followed by Armanto Trapote (ESP) aboard Tornado VS (Toulon x Contender) in fifth in 67.12. 

The Big Tour's CSI4* 1.45m Dunas de Barbate Small Grand Prix went to Alvaro Gonzalez De Zarate Fernandez (ESP) and Casa Diva PS (Casallco x Silvio I). With a time of 38.96, the Spanish rider took the win as one of only six double clears out of 74 starters ahead of Derin Demirsoy (TUR) and Empire EH Z (Emerald x Darco) in second in 39.12. Ellen Whitaker (GBR) and Conshira Blue PS (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue) placed third with a time of 39.58. 

The CSI4* 1.50m Medium Tour – a competition in two phases – went to Brazil's Pedro Veniss and Duelante 3K (Lordanos x Zirocco Blue VDL) ahead of Ricardo Gil Santos (POR) and First Diamond AG (Diamant de Semilly x Oberon du Moulin) in second in 22.98. Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Kamal (Jamal vd Heffinck x G. Ramiro Z) completed the top three after clocking a time of 23.06.