Stephan Barcha Steals the Spotlight with Chevaux Primavera Império Egípcio in the €105,500 Diputación de Cadiz Grand Prix CSI 4*

Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – March 22, 2026 – The €105,500 Diputación de Cadiz Grand Prix CSI 4*, the Invitational Grand Prix of the Circuito Hípico del Sol and the highlight class of the CSI4*, brought the final week of the 2026 Andalucía Sunshine Tour to a close with a demanding and highly selective course. Designed by Rafael Suárez and his team, the track made a difference from the outset: out of fifty starters, only five combinations reached the jump-off. Spain’s Julio Arias (ESP) was once again among the best in the Grand Prix.

Victory went to Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA), who produced the fastest double clear with Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (0 – 44.30 seconds). Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy (IRL) finished close behind in second place with Olympic GL FVD (0 – 44.97 seconds), also clear, rounding off a strong Sunshine Tour campaign with consistent top results.

Spain’s Julio Arias Cueva (ESP) completed the podium, taking third place with Filou du Manoir after a jump-off in 45.88 seconds with four penalty-points, and notably as the only Spanish rider in the tiebreaker.

Winner’s Circle – Stephan Barcha (BRA)

“This mare is so special for me, we started together when she was six. We won a lot, Brazilian champion, South American champion, Pan-American champion, 5th in the Olympics. But for me, every win with her is special because she’s so amazing, the way she is in the ring, she’s not an easy horse outside, but in the ring, I know how to manage her. And let’s see for the future. Let’s keep pushing for more, we plan for the future. I’d like to say thank you for all the people who support me in Brazil, Haras Império Egípcio in Europe, and one special guy who is here this week, Philippe Guerdat (FRA), who’s been teaching me for so long time and is one really important person for me. He’s here, this victory is for him too.”

Final Results – €105,500 Diputación de Cadiz Grand Prix CSI 4* – 1.55m

1) Stephan Barcha (BRA) & Chevaux Primavera Império Egípcio – 0 / 0 – 44.30

2) Niamh McEvoy (IRL) & Olympic Gold GL FVD – 0 / 0 – 44.97

3) Julio Arias Cueva (ESP) & Filou du Manoir – 0 / 4 – 45.88

Source: Press Release from Andalucía Sunshine Tour

Photos: © Andalucía Sunshine Tour / Mackenzie Clark

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