SICAB 2024: A Big Celebration of the P.R.E. Horse

Breeding

USPRE

-- USPRE press release, text and photos © Lily Forado

SICAB represents the pinnacle of the competition season for P.R.E. horses. The season resumes in electrifying performances in the arena—two minutes and 20 seconds for conformation and seven minutes for dressage. In this high-stakes setting, presenters and riders give it their all.

The black curtain of Pavilion 3 slowly opens and the show starts. The judge, with a solemn expression, rises from his chair and rings the bell. In that moment, the magic begins. From 19 - 24 November 2024, SICAB was the final fight for the coveted title of ANCCE Cup for Dressage, where 108 horses representing 83 breeders competed for glory.

FEI Level Winners

Azibo de Morán, bred and owned by Yeguada Morán, stood in a league of his own in the seven years old category. Under the reins of Olympic rider Claudio Castilla, he dominated the category with a total score of 74.828%. Rule KP, bred by Yeguada El Principado de España and owned by Yeguada La Angostura, secured second place with a total score of 72.161%. The mare Festina Gal, bred by Moisés Gálvez Muriel and owned by Finca Lo Tacón, completed the podium with 71.895%.

Olympic rider Antonio García Mena returned to the Fibes arena. This time, riding Goloso JF III, a horse from Yeguada JF Miño. He had no rival, and each of his strides were golden. He secured the first place at the Prix St. George test with 69.147%, and in the Kur Intermedia I with 74.290%. He won the category with a three-point lead in the overall ranking. This victory adds another achievement to Mena’s record, marking his twelfth win in SICAB. The second spot on the podium was claimed by regular competitor Alberto García-Briñón with Pampero FS, a horse from Yeguada Arroyomonte, scoring 68.793%. The bronze medal went to Juan Matute, riding Tentaero de Torreluna, bred by Yeguada Torreluna and owned by Yeguada Don Bull, scoring 68.786%.

Grand Prix Thrill

The Big Tour level was particularly exciting, delivering a very emotional finale. José Daniel Martín Dockx and Malagueño LXXXIII, a horse bred and owned by Paco de Santiago, claimed the title for the third consecutive year with a remarkable score of 77.705%. More also, after a very successful career, the Olympic rider did his last centerline and retired from competition.

Juan Matute Guimón and Navaltocon, owned by USPRE member Margaret Carrera, secured silver medal with an overall of 70.758%. Navaltocon’s standout feature, his powerful and uphill tempis, earned him a second-place finish in the Kur with a score of 74.820%. The Madrid-based rider once again shone at SICAB, as he did in 2019 with Guateque IV winning the title of Small Tour. Along with Navaltocon, Matute has achieved a metal every year, more precisely, silver medal in 2022 in Small Tour Division and bronze medal in 2023 in GP ). Navaltocon's standout feature lies in its tempis. The bronze went to Revoltoso LXV (bred by Yeguada de La Cartuja Hierro del Bocado and owned by Classic Dressage SL with an overall of 70.428%.

U.S. Representation at SICAB

The 7-year-old category was an exciting journey for Cantinero Los Encinos (bred and owned by Yeguada Los Encinos, a proud USPRE member) under the reins of Jorge Arauz. After a long and demanding season, the pair secured a coveted spot among the top 15 in the prestigious COPA ANCCE.

The icing on the cake came as they rode down the centerline at SICAB, a monumental achievement for both rider and team, having qualified through the nationals in Texas. At SICAB, in the preliminary round for the 7-year-old category, they earned a score of 67.761%, improving to 69.600% in the final, securing an impressive ninth place overall.

Conformation Titles

The Functionality Test kicked off the competitive events, determining the final classifications for Sections 8, 10, and 12. Lisonjero de Vida, bred by Villanueva Da Casa and presented by Diego González, won the title of World Champion of Functionality with a score of 22.646. This horse also excelled in the Final of the ANCCE Cup for 4-year-old Classical Dressage, marking a historic milestone. Gesoro de Torreluna, bred by Yeguada Torreluna and presented by Elena Aragón, claimed the runner-up position with 22.439 points.

The final conformation show on Sunday brought the season to a spectacular close. Impressive mares and stallions competed for the coveted titles of Champion of the Show, filling Pavilion 3 with electric energy.

The first to enter the arena and showcase their quality of movement were Yeguerita Bio, Desh AC, and Sonajera AL. However, it was the last to enter, Laltezo Torreluna, presented by Francis García León, bred by Yeguada Torreluna, and owned by Ganadería Piero Coen, who claimed the title of Young Champion of Best Movements. The celebration of excellence continued, and it was time for the adult contenders for the title of Adult Champion of Best Movements. The imposing bay mare Fiesta de Centurión, bred by Yeguada Centurión and owned by Yeguada Aqualia, who had reigned as the Young World Champion of Best Movements in both 2022 and 2023, surpassed her own record. She gravitated and became the new Adult Champion of Best Movements, proving that every stride of hers at SICAB is pure gold.

Among the “Stallions” , the rivalry reached fever pitch, with every stride of Lisonjero de Vida, Ofendido Mango, and Serio de Morán . The atmosphere thrummed with an intensity akin to a charged storm. It was Serio de Morán who became the lightning bolt that lit up the arena. His extended trot was mesmerizing, leaving the audience breathless. Every extension of his movements was like a streak of lightning crossing the arena. Presented exquisitely by David Marín Risco, Serio de Morán once again claimed the throne as Adult Champion of Best Movements, his second consecutive year holding the title.

Unexpected eliminations added unpredictability to the competition for individual champion titles. Primavera BAT IV, daughter of Yeguada Batán’s flagship mare Primavera BAT, continued her lineage’s golden legacy by becoming Young Filly Champion. Liberto Torreluna secured the title of Young Stallion Champion, while Récord Mater concluded the season as runner-up.

The World Champions

The most anticipated moments came with the Big Champions. The battle for SICAB’s two ultimate crowns was a showcase of grandeur for Yeguada Entre Dos Aguas. Élite Torreluna de Eda, Nefelibata JB Zavi, and Primavera BAT II strike a pose for the title. Ultimately, Élite Torreluna de Eda, with her majestic presence and unmatched elegance, triumphed for the third consecutive year, solidifying her reign as a true queen of the P.R.E.

Among the stallions , Lisonjero de Vida, Dátil MFE, and Fer Bonachón de Eda did not disappoint. Fer Bonachón de Eda culminated his career with a golden touch, crowned as the Absolute World Champion 2024. This stallion from Yeguada Entre Dos Aguas and bred by Yeguada Ferrero has established himself as the great king of SICAB, surpassing Nero II with a record-breaking career. His achievements include four titles: Young Champion in both 2018 and 2019 and Adult Champion in 2021 and 2024. This surpasses his father, Fer Bago (2010 Young Champion and 2012 Adult Champion), and Nero II, who held three SICAB titles (2001 as Young Champion and subsequent Adult Champion titles in 2006 and 2008).

Luis Miguel Almansa, the Huelva-based handler , achieved an unprecedented feat by training and presenting both champions, Élite Torreluna de Eda and Fer Bonachón de Eda. Almansa accomplished what few can even dream of: double ace — a king and a queen.

Best Breeder

The battle for the Best Breeder award was fierce. For the first time in SICAB’s history, the title went to an international stud, Yeguada Las Morerías of Mexico, after two consecutive years as runner-up. The title of Best Exhibitor Stud was once again claimed by Yeguada Entre Dos Aguas, solidifying its dominance in the competition.

USPRE celebrated its presence at SICAB with enthusiasm. Over the five-day event, the organization engaged with members and strengthened connections within the international P.R.E. community. SICAB 2024 marked a triumphant end to the year, setting the stage for even greater achievements in 2025.