The Andalucía October Tour starts up tomorrow with a schedule packed full of competition

Tomorrow the Spanish Junior dressage championships begin followed by the showjumping championships for Juniors and Young Riders (Menores and Absoluto)

On the 16th of October, three busy weeks of international competition begin, including a Nations Cup with 19 countries participating

More than 2.800 horses and 800 riders from 38 countries are booked in to compete in the fifth Andalucía October Tour which kicks off on Thursday the 25th of September here at Montenmedio, and which offers over one million euros in prizes. This year the tour has been extended to cover six weeks and a 4* has been added as the highlight at the end of the event.

The calendar kicks off with the Spanish Junior Dressage Championships, which will be held from September 25th to 28th, and will continue with the Spanish Junior Show Jumping Championship from October 1st to 5th. That same weekend will also be the final of the Northern and Southern Pony Leagues, an area of our sport that is gaining more and more prominence here in the Cadiz arenas each year, and which gives the sport's youth the opportunity to compete in top-level facilities. These national competitions will take place from October 7th to 19th with a total of nine Spanish Show Jumping Championships, including the ‘Absolute’ Championship.

On October 16th the first week of international competition will begin, bringing together some of the world's best riders in a 3* competition. The following week, from October 22nd to 26th, one of the most anticipated events of this tour takes place: the Nations Cup, for which 19 teams have formally registered. The competition’s last week will be October 30th to November 2nd and a 4* competition. In addition, each week will include competitions for Young Horses.

As additional events to this competition, and with the aim of adding value to the event, an eventing competition was held on September 20th; there will also be carriage competitions on September 27th and 28th; and the Andalucían Dressage and Show Jumping Championships will take place from November 12th to 16th.

In total, an estimated 30,000 spectators and 7,000 registered attendees will participate in this the 5th Andalucía October Tour.

At the Provincial Council of Cádiz, this equestrian event was formally presented, and the council is once again one of the event's main sponsors. This institution's First Vice President, Juancho Ortiz, highlighted the potential of the Andalucía October Tour to "project the image of Cádiz as a destination of quality, excellence, and sustainability." He also pointed out that the monetary value of the events held in Montenmedio: "More than €25 million in economic returns, around a thousand jobs created, and more than 10,000 overnight stays, strengthen both our hospitality and tourism industries. All of this in the month of October, helping to de-seasonalise (tourism) and boost the local economy."

The Vice President of the Provincial Council also referred to the significant international exposure of the tour, with live broadcasts and media coverage reaching thousands of people around the world, making the October Tour "a true global showcase for our province." For all these reasons, Ortiz said, "the Provincial Council reinforced its commitment to Montenmedio, to Vejer and the entire province" by supporting this tour, which confirms its commitment to "sustainable, quality tourism that places Cádiz among the best destinations in the world."

For her part, the director of the Andalucía October Tour, Teresa Blázquez, highlighted the consolidation of this event, which, after five years of existence, is already a benchmark in international and national equestrian events and the hosting of the Spanish Championships. "We are delighted to continue growing and improving every year.  This time, we are expanding the October Tour to host new national events, so that children and young adults can compete at our facilities within the framework of the Spanish Championships. This makes us especially excited, as we believe it is essential to value the effort and work of these young athletes."

"Furthermore, this is the first time that the Andalucía October Tour has featured all four equestrian disciplines in a single edition: eventing, dressage, jumping, and carriage driving," she noted.

“And, of course, we will continue to feature the best at the international level, in the usual three weeks of competition. For an unparalleled end to the season we wanted to give even more relevance with a Nations Cup round that has been incredibly well-received, with 19 teams registered, and by raising the category of the final week to a 4* in this fifth  Andalucía October Tour”.

Finally, Teresa Blázquez, thanked the Provincial Council of Cádiz for its continued support of this sporting event and invited all fans to come and enjoy the competition. "I would like to emphasise that access to our facilities is free of charge. We have ample parking, a shopping area, and several restaurants that allow you to enjoy a wonderful day out with family or friends."