News

Thursday (September 24) will mark the beginning of the Vilamoura Champions Tour 2015. The prestigious international equestrian event which brings a variety of world-class riders to the Algarve has already started filling up hotels and is expected to generate “€4 to €5 million for the local economy”.

Olympic medalists Rodrigo Pessoa (Brazil), Nick Skelton (UK) and Laura Kraut (USA), European vice-champion Gregory Wathelet and 2006 World champion Jos Lansink (Belgium), world no.7 rider Bertram Allen (Ireland), English show jumper Laura Renwick and Dutch wonder kids Sanne Thijssen and Lisa Nooren have been confirmed as just some of the stars of this year’s competition.

A total of 900 horses and 2,000 people – including riders, jury members, vets and ferries – are expected, as well as an extra 6,000 fans.

Organisers Alubox say that five-star hotels in Vilamoura “are practically booked out” during the four weeks of the event, confirming Tour will generate “€4 to €5 million” for the local economy.

Alubox added that one of its goals is to have “big international equestrian events” take place in Vilamoura every year between September and April.

There is €490,000-worth of prize money to be attributed to winners of the 100 trials that will take place – 12 of which count for the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) rankings.

Vilamoura Champions Tour will run at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre until October 18.

More information on the competition can be found on: http://www.facebook.com/VilamouraAtlanticTour

Source: www.portugalresident.com