At the beginning of February, the 2024-edition of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour got underway – with its 30th anniversary and record-breaking entries. 3500 horses and more than 2000 riders with 60 different nationalities have been entered to compete at the venue at Montenmedio, in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain for the seven weeks of the tour – that offers more than 2.5 million Euros in prize money and has 550 classes on the program, including 35 FEI Longines Ranking classes and six qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Once again many of the world's best riders went to Vejer de la Frontera to kick off their outdoor season during the first three weeks of the tour, and two of them were Switzerland's leading riders Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs who are starting 2024 with full focus on the Olympic Games in Paris. Here the two take their Olympic prospects Dynamix de Belheme – reigning European champion – and Leone Jei – 2021 European vice-champion – for a morning ride in the forest at Montenmedio.
And with this photo special, we look back at the three first weeks of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour.
All photos © Mackenzie Clark.
Magical mornings at Montenmedio.
The stunning Hickstead ring at sunrise.
The huge King Edward-ring is used for flat work.
Early morning rides.
Former world no. one Daniel Deusser was one of many top riders gearing up for the outdoor season at Montenmedio during the three first weeks, here chatting with host Armando Trapote.
It's not always sunshine though... During week one of the tour, the sky opened and the CSI4* 1.55m Stephex Grand Prix was moved on sand where Scott Brash and Hello Valentino beat the weather as well as a strong field of horses and riders.
Smiling in the rain...
But the sun came back!
And once again, horses and riders could enter the beautiful grass rings at Montenmedio.
Teresa Blazquez manages to combine her extremely busy job as event director with competing at top level.
Philipp Weishaupt in the vast David Broome arena.
During week two, Team Demirsoy was one fire and won two of the Big Tour Grand Prix qualifiers.
Steve Guerdat also had a super tour and won the small Grand Prix of the Big Tour during week one with Easy Star de Talma, as well as during week two with Lucky Fauntelroy.
Penélope Leprevost and Texas took the top honours in the CSI4* 1.55m Dunas de Barbate Grand Prix during week two.The French rider also won one of week three's Big Tour Grand Prix qualifiers with Djagger Semilly, and a Medium Tour 1.45m with Fantasy de La Roque.
Team Fuchs getting ready for another prize giving after taking the win in week three's CSI4* Royal Bliss Trophy Big Tour 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier with Bastille.
Week three concluded with a victory for Emanuele Camilli and Odense Odeveld in the CSI4* 1.55m Andalucía Grand Prix.
Daniel Deusser in full focus.
Horses and people everywhere at Montenmedio.
The fences never fail to impress at the Sunshine Tour. Here the Peacock wall.
The tour now has one week of CSI2* and CSIYH competitions before three new weeks of four-stars get underway next week.
Never...
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... magic! Thanks Martin and Steve for the surprise!
Then