Text © World of Showjumping

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and the 9-year-old gelding Lusso Gih Z (Light My Fire x Crown Z) won Saturday’s CSI4* 1.45m ranking class at Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.

With a time of 34.46 in a jump-off of seventeen, Guerdat and Lusso Gih Z took the top honours ahead of Ireland’s Mark McAuley and Django Ste Hermelle (Uppercut Kervec x Andiamo) in second in 37.05 and Germany’s Maximilian Weishaupt on Cosmo von Imhoff (Cornet Obolensky x Chepetto) in third in 37.30.

Mathieu Billot (FRA) with Heartlove de Pleville (Carinjo x Kannan) and Jens Baackmann (GER) aboard Nomanee (Non Stop x Carthago Z) completed the top five, placing fourth and fifth respectively.

Friday’s CSI4* 1.50m Ayto de Vejer Trophy went to Belgium’s Axel Vandoorne and the 10-year-old gelding Gaudi de Hus (Toulon x Diamant de Semilly).

With a time of 65.09, Vandoorne and Gaudi de Hus took the top honours ahead of Alix Ragot (FRA) and QH Sole Mio Santo Antonio (Canvas Plus x Diabeau) in second in 65.63, while Alain Jufer (SUI) with Dominator MM (Dominator 2000 Z x Caritano Z) placed third in 66.40, followed by Jack Ryan (IRL) on DSH Lucky Junior (BBS McGregor x Luidam) in fourth in 66.44 and Douglas Lindelöw (SWE) aboard Emmie CC (Emerald x Nekton) in fifth in 66.50.

Week two in Vejer de Frontera kicked off with a win for the host nation in Thursday’s main competition, the CSI4* 1.50m against the clock.

Jesus Garmendia Echevarria (ESP) and the 10-year-old gelding Caramel Blue PS (Carambole x Messenger) took the top honours when crossing the finish line in 61.76, besting a field of 60 horse-and-rider combinations. Massimo Grossato (ITA) and Legend (Cascadello x Indoctro) followed in second with a time of 63.14, while Steve Guerdat (SUI) and C.H.C. Lilibet (George Z x Robin-I) placed third when stopping the clock on 64.31.

Mathieu Billot (FRA) on Cosacara Z (Cornet Obolensky x Sandro Boy) followed in fourth in 64.50, while Alix Ragot (FRA) aboard Gueule d’Amours (Contendro I x Narcos II) finished fifth in 65.09.