Z-horses make their mark in the CSI4* Grand Prix at Vejer de la Frontera

Following on from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, the Andalusia October Tour also kicked off on Spanish soil last week. For three weeks, the southern town of Vejer de la Frontera will be the scene of fierce competition at international level, with events up to four-star level. The opening week proved an immediate success for our blue and yellow colours, as the Z-horses secured both the gold and silver medals in the CSI4* Grand Prix.

The CSI4* Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon was the absolute highlight of this first week of the Andalucia October Tour, attracting a total of fifty rider-horse pairs to the start. Spanish course designer Marcos Núñez and his team had drawn up a technically challenging course, which was completed clear by eleven pairs, earning them a place in the decisive jump-off. In the jump-off, it was ultimately the Spanish rider Pilar Lucrecia Cordon who came out on top with her 13-year-old mare Pica Pica Z, a daughter of Pilgrim II and Abeltus Z, bred by Haras Rio Bravo. Cordon and Pica Pica Z, who had already secured^third place in the qualifier for this Grand Prix on Thursday, also managed to keep their cool in the jump-off and, with a finishing time of 40.03 seconds, were more than half a second ahead of the competition.

The silver in this 1.55m Grand Prix was also won by a Z-horse. This was secured by the German rider David Will on the 10-year-old gelding Maverick, a son of Mosito van het Hellehof and Zirocco Blue VDL, who was born to breeder Maryse De Laet as Maurysito de Nuit Z. Will and Maverick, who had already secured^4th place in the 1.50m class on Friday, also produced a clear-round jump-off, but took 40.67 seconds to complete their round.

Earlier on Sunday, Will’s compatriot Cedric Wolf also secured a Z-class victory with the 9-year-old gelding Copain Z, a son of Cicero Z van Paemel and Arezzo VDL from the stud of P. Huige. Wolf and Copain Z triumphed in the 1.35m class, where, with a clear-round^second phase in 28.07 seconds, they were also more than half a second faster than their nearest rival.

In addition to his victory with Copain Z, Cedric Wolf also claimed a prize in Vejer de la Frontera with the 15-year-old gelding Capitano Z, a home-bred horse by Charlotte Peeters that combines the bloodlines of Cornado NRW and Lordanos. During Friday’s 1.40m speed class, they kept all the bars neatly in place, a performance that earned them^third place in the rankings.

Another standout combination throughout the weekend were the young Belgian rider Mathieu Guery and the 9-year-old gelding Sir Minka Z, a son of Sir Obolensky Z and Topas, who was bred by P. van den Einden. Guery and Sir Minka Z first made their mark on Thursday with a^fifth place in the 1.45m class, whilst on Saturday, in another 1.45m class, they secured^third place.

Finally, British rider Joseph Stockdale also managed to place twice with the 8-year-old grey mare Do It Rollebeek Z (Dallas VDL x Indorado), a breeding product of De Rollebeek BVBA. They began their competition on Thursday with a^fourth place in the 1.45m class and secured a^tenth place the following day in the 1.50m class.