Vejer de la Frontera, Spain – March 09, 2025 – British William Fletcher (GBR) and Iwalinde had their second victory in a Longines Ranking class this week, as they were top of the podium in the really competitive 1.55m challenge, the €105,500 Dunas de Barbate Trophy Grand Prix CSI 4* class here at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour, which is kindly sponsored by the Junta de Andalucía, through the Consejería de Turismo and Andalucía Exterior, and by the Diputación provincial of Cádiz.
A delighted Will told us told us after the class: “I can’t believe it, to win a 4* Grand Prix—I’m just so, so pleased, it takes an army, the horse was fantastic, she’s a feisty girl and she just tries her heart out every time she goes in the ring. Two wins this week has just been amazing,” they also won the Hipotels Trophy 1.50 GP here on the 6th. His mount was the lovely 12-year-old grey Dutch Warmblood mare Iwalinde (VDL Zirocco Blue x Corland), owned by John Walter and Will himself, with whom he had already won the The Hickstead Master’s Trophy in June 2024. “I can trust her, she’s so careful she’s got so much ability and she just gave me the best day I could ever imagine,” said the clearly delighted Will.
Will took the win with a deceptively smooth round, from the top French rider, Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) in a very close and fast jump off of just four riders, and in which only the top two went clear. Pénélope is clearly on top form as she was the winner of the Small Grand Prix class yesterday. Today, she was riding Baloubet de Talma (Baloubet du Rouet x Cento) and they stopped the clock in just 37.37 exactly one-tenth of a second behind Will.
Last to go in the class, another British rider, Simon Crippen (GBR) with Handsome (Toulon x Phin-Phin) and stopped the timers in 38.36 second with one pole down, claiming third place.
In fourth place was British Matthew who went early in the class and had an amazingly fast round of 37.06 seconds, but with two poles down with Medoc de Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle). Fifth place went to the Swedish rider Antonia Andersson with Bella PS (Messenger x Contendros 2) who was the fastest of the 4 faulters in the first round.
Final Results – €105,500 Dunas de Barbate Trophy Grand Prix CSI 4*
1) William Fletcher (GBR) & Iwalinde – 0 / 0 – 37.27
2) Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) & Baloubet de Talma – 0 / 0 – 37.37
3) Simon Crippen (GBR) & Handsome – 0 / 0 – 38.36
Source: Press Release Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Photos: © Andalucía Sunshine Tour / Mackenzie Clark
