We had lovely prizes from our main sponsors, SandyBlue, with big rosettes, gifts and fun goody bags. Our judge, Bev McHale, did a great job giving the riders marks for the different sections on their respective class and positive comments to encourage them to want to develop more their equestrian skills and compete again.

The morning consisted of riding classes where the horse and rider had plenty of time to relax and gain ring experience. The lead rein winner was Swiss visitor Matilde riding Alinta. The off the lead class 2 was won by local rider Eva Ezau. Class 3 was won by the visiting horse and rider from Qta da Beldade stables, “Bounty”, ridden by Monica Guadaguin. Amy Lloyd, with “Zigzag,” was a worthy winner in the class 4 for the more experienced riders. Both these riders are a credit to their trainer, Denise Inês, owner of Qta. Beldade, Tavira.


The fancy dress was as popular as ever with Pandora French and her horse, Illustre, in a magnificent costume as an Easter Tale.

Clear round jumping, over a course designed by Lucie Cabrita, encouraged accuracy and good technique. Pinetrees has benefitted from new jumps supplied by sponsors SandyBlue, Engel and Volkers, and IBC, made by carpenter Alan Holmes and painted by Jerry Gibbons.

Riders who did the morning equitation and had a clear round jumping were candidates for the SandyBlue trophies, which were won by Filly Russell, Eva Ezau, and Amy Lloyd.

Elisa from our local tack shop, now called Horse World, gave vouchers to the competitors to use in her new shop on the EN 125, not far from TIBI.

The weather – which has been so untypical recently – helped the day run well and we enjoyed a delicious al fresco lunch catered by Algarve Fine Foods.


The whole event benefitted the local community from the entries and raffle with €262, plus clothing, toys and Easter Eggs, for families in need to be distributed by the Soc. De São Paulo de Vicente, Almancil group.

Well done to you all!