Hester and Dujardin Victorious on Second Week of 2010 Sunshine Tour

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2010 Sunshine Tour

British riders have continued their winning ways in the second week of the Spanish Sunshine Tour, at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain 9-14 March. Under the now sunny skies, British competitors bested previous scores and set the tone for what’s sure to be an exciting third and final week.

Carl Hester led the way again with Sasha Stewart's Uthopia – scoring a whopping 75.29% in the horse's second ever grand prix special on Sunday. Carl and the nine-year-old dark bay stallion by Metall picked up 73.02% in Saturday’s grand prix, an improvement again from last week’s win on 71.10%.

"The second week Uthopia was more confident all around,” said Carl. “He was really on the button in the special and to get 75% is phenomenal, especially as it’s a new PB for me and it’s only his second ever special.”

Carl continued, “Even though he’s young and still makes a few small mistakes his athleticism more than makes up for it – it’s definitely an exciting time for the future.” Due to Uthopia’s unprecedented success, the pair will withdraw from the third week of competition and enjoy some much deserved rest as they look toward the run up to WEG.

Carl's stable jockey Charlotte Dujardin also enjoyed a successful second week, winning the PSG on Mrs Luard's Valegro (by Negro). The pair scored 73.59% to beat 37 competitors in total. Charlotte and Valegro also topped the field in the Intermediate I with 71.75%.

Also in action was European team medalist Maria Eilberg and Two Sox, who claimed second in the Kur with 73.30% – only .04% behind Gonçalo Carvalho and Rubi from Portugal. Maria and Two Sox also placed fourth in the Grand Prix on 67.57% while brother Michael and Monet finished sixth on 66.72% in their GP debut. Michael and Monet improved to finish fourth in the special on 67.33%.

Maria and Michael also continued to impress in the owners classes with Maria and Woodlander Rockstar coming first with 72.64% while Michael and Woodlander Dornroschen followed on 69.41% in the Junior Preliminary Test.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” said Maria. “I’ve had a very full schedule but Two Sox has been great and has been trying really hard. Rockstar has also been progressing well but is not quite ready for small tour. Thankfully the weather has cleared and although it’s a bit windy, hopefully the horses will be settled enough after two weeks to improve even more in the third."