The 2012 Sunshine Dressage Tour CDI came to an end and Portuguese Gonçalo Carvalho concluded his brilliant participation this week with a deserved victory at the big final. Carvalho and Christine Jacoberger's Lusitano licensed stallion Rubi swept the board at Grand Prix level and became the 2012 Sunshine Tour grand champions.
The 2012 Sunshine Tour held at the Montenmedio Equestrian Centre in Vejer de la Frontera celebrated a new concept this year. The show was reduced to two weeks of competition instead of three, the venue was now where normally the show jumping classes take place and the competition took place begin February instead of at the end of February and the beginning of March.
On the final day of the Sunshine Tour started with 13 combinations taking part in the Intermediaire I kur to music. As expected there was a close battle between Belgian Philippe Jorisen and French Jessica Michel. Belgian Jorissen finally won the championship with his Rhinelander mare Agneta (by Abanos) while French rider Jessica Michel, scored just three-tenths less than the winner. She was finished second with Daimler de Hus. Spanish based Bermuda rider Annabelle Collins was third with Alfa.
"Agneta is just the leading lady and not only in our barn," said Philippe's wife Jule. Jorissen travelled to Spain to follow coach Jan Bemelmans and earn important points at Grand Prix level for his Olympic campaign with the Oldenburg gelding Le Beau. "He (Le Beau) had some problems with the wind blowing through the palm trees. He thought they made a scary sound." on the first week of competition. The second week the horse scored 68.277% in the Grand Prix.
The grand finale on the final day of competition was the Grand Prix Kur to Music. Portuguese Gonçalo Carvalho and his horse Rubi confirmed their good shape this second week and won the title. The Portuguese pair scored an impressive 77.65% to sweep the victory.
"Thanks to all those who believe and support us," said Carvalho. "I am very happy and proud to have contributed to this important step for the Lusitano. We will continue to work hard every day to be able to maintain this line. We hope to repeat these feats more often. The Lusitano has a future in dressage!"
French Jessica Michel finished second with Riwera de Hus (by Welt Hit II) just little more than one percentage point behind them (76.625%). Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and the American owned Grandioso placed third with 73.900%.
Ignacio Rambla returned to international Grand Prix level with a new horse, the bay Andalusian Fogonero IX. The pair had a strong campaign at the Sunshine Tour and clearly showed their ambitions to make it on the Spanish Olympic team. They were fifth in the Kur with 70.275%.
Photo © Jumpfotos.com
Related Links
Scores 2012 Sunshine Tour CDI - Week Two
Scores 2012 Sunshine Tour CDI - Week One
Eurodressage on the scene at the 2011 Sunshine Tour