PATRICIA SEGURA - SUNSHINE 2020

Sunshine Tour 2020, back on track

A look back at one of the first major events of the year for international show jumping competitions. A competition unfortunately shortened due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

This Sunshine Tour 2020 marked the return to competition for Patricia Segura who was kept away from international competitions for several months due to an injury. For her third participation in the Andalusian CSI, accompanied by her new partner the Butet Saumur Saddlery, the Swiss-Spanish rider entered seven horses this year: Alizée Impériale (10 years old), Venu Tôt (11 years old), Valseuse de Terlong (11 years old), Champs d’Or (8 years old) on one side, Epic (6 years old), Facette (5 years old) and Fascia (5 years old) on the other, three young horses entered in the CSIYH*.

“With my two lead horses, Valseuse and Venu Tôt, the objective was to prepare for the 2020 season, and above all to get back in the saddle,” explains Patricia Segura. It was a successful relaunch, as Valseuse and Venu Tôt had some very good rides and several rankings.
This return to competition also marked the reunion with Champs d’Or, the fiery mount involved in the rider’s injury. The ambition here was to regain confidence and rebuild the winning pair from before the accident. Once again, mission accomplished, with rankings and victories. “It wasn’t easy,” she says with a smile.

Confirmation for Epic
The competition was also an opportunity to make contact with the newcomers. The first one, a magnificent 10 year old mare from the Gonge Breeding, arrived in Italy during Patricia Segura’s convalescence: Imperial Trade Winds. The new pair started competing in 130/135 classes before taking part in the 145 rankings: “Alizée is a wonderful mare, very sensitive, but sometimes she still finds me a little too “efficient”. We need to get to know each other better,” says Patricia Segura. Further discoveries with Facette and Fascia, two 5 year old mares from her owner’s breeding farm who showed a magnificent evolution during four weeks of competition and will undoubtedly be part of the future.

Last but not least, the Sunshine Tour 2020 will have been the confirmation for Epic, a cross between Fiona des Champs (type of her) and Con Air. With a dozen clear rounds and a qualification for the 6-year-old final in the second week of competition, this young gelding kept all his promises. “I have never ridden a horse of such quality and the fact that I have the chance to train him without pressure is exceptional,” says Patricia, who takes the opportunity to thank Luca Moneta and the whole team – Nora, Camilla, Foulvia, Silvia and her new groom Valeria – for taking such good care of her horses. And above all for continuing to do so throughout the confinement period.

Photos: SUNSHINE TOUR 2020 www.moisesbasallote.com