Spain won, after a jump-off, the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon Nations Cup
Spanish triumph in the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon Nations Cup, in which ten teams took part. The Spanish quartet, with two double clear rounds, prevailed after a jump-off against South Africa.
The Spanish team, made up of Pilar Lucrecia Cordón with “Actiongrace PS”, Pello Elorduy with “Champenoise de Rampán”, Kevin González de Zárate with “Djoural de Lizet” and Jesús Garmendia with “Caramel Blue PS”, finished the first round with 4 points, following rails down from Pilar Lucrecia Cordón and Jesús Garmendia. However, they improved in the second round, in which the Spanish rider again knocked down the triple combination exit with “Actiongrace PS”, but the other three combinations delivered flawless rounds.
Spain finished on 4 points, the same as South Africa, making a jump-off necessary to determine the winner. François Mathy relied on the experience of Jesús Garmendia, and the decision proved correct, as the San Sebastián rider completed a faultless round with “Caramel Blue PS”, gaining time on the turns and forcing the South African rider, Tamara Rueda with “Callaho Liantos”, to take risks. A rail down from the South African team, led by Lisa Williams, ultimately secured the Spanish victory.
Third place went to the French team, who finished with 8 points, the same as Italy.
Samantha Kettle, Director of Al Shira’aa Horse Show & Global Operations Al Shira’aa Tours, presented the trophies to the members of the Spanish team, while Bruno Rente,
President of the FEP, and José Manuel Figueiredo, President of the SHP, presented the trophies to the second- and third-placed teams.
The 1.40m class on the opening day, prior to the Nations Cup, was sponsored by Grupo EULEN and featured an exciting finish. It was run in two phases, with the top five riders completing the second phase in the 24-second range, with minimal differences between them.
The Grupo EULEN Trophy saw 44 combinations compete, with 33 advancing to the second phase and 24 delivering double clear rounds. The fastest was Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida with “Comme Le Coeur”, setting an unbeatable time. Just five hundredths behind was Italy’s Tommaso Gerardi with “Itamorkus” in 24.14, while Portugal’s Filipe Malta da Costa placed third with “Cartel du Lys A ET L” (24.27).
The best-placed Spanish rider was Kevin González de Zárate, sixth with “Cornet Crimoso” (25.25). Pello Elorduy also produced a double clear with “Emir de Burgo” (26.15), while Jesús Garmendia lost the win at the final fence, knocking down with “Callias” when he had a winning time.
The General Director for Spain and Portugal of Grupo EULEN presented the trophy to the winner, accompanied by Luis Cabanas, Vice President of Oxer Sport.
Friday’s Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon programme began early in the morning at the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa’s main arena with the Lisbon City Council Trophy, a 1.35m speed class, in which the sole Spanish participant, Eduardo Álvarez Aznar, claimed victory.
He achieved this with “Giovanni St Germain”, completing the course in 61.62 seconds, a time that none of the other 32 competitors could beat. The closest was France’s Edouard Chavet, second with “Geisha D’Ines” (62.32). Third place went to Portugal’s Hugo Carvalho with “Nau-N”, delivering a faultless round in 62.80 seconds.
The trophy was presented to the winner on behalf of Lisbon City Council by Rodrigo Inocêncio, Head of Sports Offer Management, and João Olivença, Head of Sports Projects.
On Saturday, May 23, three more classes of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon 2026 will take place at the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa arena: the Air Europa Trophy (1.40m), the El Corte Inglés Trophy (1.20m), and the BPI Wealth Management Trophy (1.45m).
It was a great programme not only for the equestrian community, but also for all the families who attended. The Pony Park by El Corte Inglés was a true success, especially among the youngest visitors, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In addition, the food trucks and the commercial village created a lively and welcoming atmosphere,
offering a variety of options for visitors throughout the day. The pony park will be open again tomorrow and Sunday from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00. With another day of competition ahead, it promises to be an experience for everyone to enjoy.