Spaniard Jesus Torres was the winner of the Grand Prix event held Sunday (October 2) at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre.
One of the highlights of the ‘Vilamoura Champions Tour’ – the horse riding competition that began at the luxury resort last month and continues until October 16 – the GP included 45 competitors.
The top spot went to Torres and his horse Orphee du Breche, who completed the course in 39,27 seconds – just a quarter of a second ahead of Portugal’s own António Almeida and horse Nikel de Presle. Swiss Beat Mändli finished in third with 39,50 on the clock.
The Vilamoura Champions Tour has attracted more than 500 riders and their teams, with a total of 32 nationalities represented. Last year, the event was considered “Portugal’s best equestrian event ever”.
Paul Taylor, president of the resort’s ‘master developers’ Vilamoura World, says: “This event and Vilamoura Equestrian Centre are an integral part of our Master Plan, which ensures Vilamoura is an attractive tourist and living location.”
As he points out, the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre consists of five arenas, 900 boxes, a veterinary clinic and a restaurant/bar. The “excellent weather, quality of infrastructure and wide scope of leisure offer contribute to Vilamoura being the perfect location for events of this size and characteristics,” he added.
