2022 SICAB Gathers the Best PRE in the World: Athos MOR and Elite Torreluna World Champions

Breeding

PRE

Two weeks ago, from 15 to 20 November 2022, SICAB returned to Seville, Spain, with dramatic action. The PRE horse was the sole protagonist at this highly celebrated annual fair which is enjoyed by thousands of PRE lovers. SICAB is the biggest event on earth exclusively focused on the PRE and has it all. In three indoor pavilions, one can see the pure Spanish horse as is best and not miss a hoofbeat.

During five days, riders, handlers, and drivers compete in different disciplines, such as dressage, carriage driving, working Equitation, jumping, side saddle, doma vaquera, and alta escuela, exclusively on PRE horses.

However it is conformation show (morphology classes) which steal the show and on the concluding Sunday the best of the best battle for the coveted title of "World Champion".

PRE Dressage World Championship: Copa ANCCE Finals

This year SICAB broke records of attendance. From day one enthusiasts came and fell more in love with the PRE. In the sports field, after a very long qualifying season on the dressage "Copa ANCCE" circuit, the crème de la crème fought for the world title. Big names as José Daniel Martin Dockx, Juan Antonio Jiménez, José Antonio García Mena, Juan Matute, Alberto García- Briñón fought in the arena of Pavillion 3.

The list of judges kept the international tone going with the presence of Dutch FEI Judge 5* Eduard De Wolff Van Westerrode, German Ulrike Nivelle (FEI Judge 5*), Spaniards Mariano Santos (FEI Judge 4*), Juan Carlos Campos (Judge FEI 4*), Pauline Deckker-Cremers, and Portuguese Claudia Matos (FEI 3* Judge).

The young horses broke new records and the collection of 80% scores didn’t stop. The newcomers in the 4-year old class was a real battle in the arena. After two rounds, Guillermo García Ayala aboard Verso de Susaeta (by Cacique IX x Oficial XXIX) became the new champion.

Guillermo Garcia Ayala on Verso de Susaeta

In the next category, José Antonio García Mena riding LC Lunon de Trujillo (by Duiker MOR x Duque CXIII) had no rival. He won the preliminary and the finale with ease and therefore has a new title in his extensive resume in SICAB earning with 11th victory.

More over, the rider of Yeguada Arroyomonte, Alberto García-Briñón paved his victorious way in the 6-year old class. The strides from stallion Pampero FS (by Enganoso VI X Ermitano III) were golden since minute one. Trapalo de Indalo (by Esbelto VII x Bandolero LXVII) ridden by Alejandro Sánchez del Barco dominated the 7-year old category. Galloping in its own league, his scores were above 76%n and 78% in the preliminary round.

In the Small Tour Category, the victories for Team Arroyomonte Team didn’t cease, as the 8-year old Norteño FS (by Galeote TF x Ermitano III) ridden by Alberto García-Briñón sealed a double win.

Last but not least, the Grand Prix was the big attraction. After the Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon, no less than 4,800 enthusiasts filled the stands for the Freestyle. It was an electric atmosphere, the air was thick, and the tension was palpable. Finally, Spanish World Championship team combination Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Francisco Santiago Ruiz' 12-year old Malagueño LXXXIII (by Joyero XXIV x Dominante XVI) danced together and created a beautiful symbiosis in the arena. His winning score was 79.540%.

Athos MOR and Elite Torreluna, World Champions Morphology

Leaving aside the sports part of classical horse ballet, the PRE World Championships in Conformation (Morphology) brought so a huge foreign audience afoot. In this edition, the finals were reintroduced again. The best 25 horses competed against each other in 14 different sections (youth, adult, mare and stallions)

On Sunday the best of the best competed for the Final for the World Champion's title. The final to die for was the one for Adult Mare Champion. the crown went to Elite Torreluna (by Alcalde Torreluna x Yaco de Torreluna), bred by Yeguada Torreluna and owned by Yeguada San Fernando.

For the Adult Stallion Champion's finale, all of them showed its great beauty, its round shapes, and it was “Athos MOR” (by Duiker MOR x Gaucho MOR) bred by the Mexican breeder Yeguada Las Morerias who received the World Champion sash.

Tradition in All its Glory

At SICAB time stands still. The entire competition season culminates in those five days of excitement, nerves and above all passion for the Spanish Horse.

Sicab is unique, is Spanish tradition, is Spanish atmosphere and above all is passion, respect and love for the PRE horses.