Spain won the Al Shira’aa Nations Cup at the CSIO3* Lisbon after a jump-off

Spanish triumph in the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Nations Cup in Lisbon, which featured ten teams. The Spanish quartet, with two double clear rounds, secured victory after a jump-off against South Africa.

The Spanish team, made up of Pilar Lucrecia Cordón aboard “Actiongrace PS”, Pello Elorduy with “Champenoise de Rampán”, Kevin González de Zárate riding “Djoural de Lizet” and Jesús Garmendia with “Caramel Blue PS”, finished the first round on four penalties after both Pilar Lucrecia Cordón and Jesús Garmendia each incurred a rail down.

However, Spain improved significantly in the second round. Pilar Lucrecia Cordón and “Actiongrace PS” again lowered the rail at the exit of the triple combination, but the other three combinations delivered flawless performances with three brilliant clear rounds. Spain finished on four penalties, level with South Africa, making a jump-off necessary to determine the winning team.

François Mathy opted for the experience of Jesús Garmendia, and the decision paid off. The rider from San Sebastián produced a faultless jump-off round aboard “Caramel Blue PS”, taking tight turns and forcing South Africa’s representative, Tamara Rueda riding “Callaho Liantos”, to take risks. A rail fell for the South African rider, whose team was captained by Lisa Williams, sealing victory for Spain.

Third place went to France, who finished on eight penalties, the same score as Italy. Samantha Kettle, Director of Al Shira’aa Horse Show & Global Operations Al Shira’aa Tours, presented the trophies to the members of the Spanish team, while Bruno Rente, President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP), and José Manuel Figueiredo, President of the Portuguese Equestrian Society (SHP), awarded the trophies to the second and third-placed teams.

Excitement in the Grupo EULEN Trophy

The 1.40m class on the opening day, held before the Nations Cup, was sponsored by Grupo EULEN and produced a thrilling finish. Run over two phases, the top five riders completed the second phase in times around the 24-second mark, separated by only minimal margins.

A total of 44 combinations contested the Grupo EULEN Trophy, with 33 advancing to the second phase and 24 producing double clear rounds. The fastest of all was Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida aboard “Comme Le Coeur”, setting a time that nobody could beat. Italian rider Tommaso Gerardi came within five hundredths of a second with “Itamorkus” in 24.14 seconds, while home rider Filipe Malta da Costa finished third with “Cartel du Lys A ET L” in 24.27 seconds.

The best-placed Spanish rider was Kevin González de Zárate, sixth with “Cornet Crimoso” in 25.25 seconds. Pello Elorduy also produced a double clear aboard “Emir de Burgo” in 26.15 seconds, while Jesús Garmendia lost a likely victory at the final obstacle when “Callias” lowered a rail despite being on a winning time.

The trophy was presented to the winner by the General Director of Grupo EULEN for Spain and Portugal, accompanied by Luis Cabanas, Vice-President of Oxer Sport.

Spanish victory in the opening class

Friday’s action at the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon began early in the morning on the green arena of the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa with the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa Trophy, a 1.35m speed class in which the only Spanish rider in the field, Eduardo Álvarez Aznar, claimed victory.

Riding “Giovanni St Germain”, he stopped the clock in 61.62 seconds, a time none of the other 32 competitors could better. French rider Edouard Chavet came closest, finishing second aboard “Geisha D’Ines” in 62.32 seconds. Portugal’s Hugo Carvalho placed third with “Nau-N”, delivering a clear round in 62.80 seconds.

The winner’s trophy was presented on behalf of Lisbon City Council by Rodrigo Inocêncio, Head of Sports Offer Management, together with João Olivença, Head of Sports Projects.

On Saturday, 23 May, the green arena of the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa will host three further classes of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon 2026: the Air Europa Trophy (1.40m), the El Corte Inglés Trophy (1.20m) and the BPI Wealth Management Trophy (1.45m).