Bringing stars of the show jumping world to the Algarve
Famous as a golf destination and host of the Portugal Masters, Vilamoura is also home to top stars and performers in the equestrian world for the duration of the Vilamoura Champions Tour 2014 and the Atlantic Tour in 2015.
Over the four week period from 25th September to 19th October, the Vilamoura Championship Tour attracts hundreds of horses, riders and their teams. On any given day there are over 500 horses and over 1.500 people involved in the event which this year boasts prize money of €450.000.
Located at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre, next to the Victoria golf course, the existence of this now prestigious event in the equestrian world is due in great part to the efforts of one man – António Moura. António founded Alubox in 1996, dedicated to the organization of international equestrian competitions and their infrastructures. With immense experience in his chosen field, a huge passion for the sport and lots of hard work, António, with the help of his team, has created conditions so excellent, and an ambience so inviting, that this year’s Vilamoura Champions Tours competitors include Ben Maher and Nick Skelton (Olympic gold medal winners at London 2012) and John Whitaker (one of the greatest showjumpers of all time, with 24 World, European and Olympic medals).
The roll call of participants also includes the familiar names of European banking royalty, their American counterparts, as well as representatives of some of the wealthiest families in the world. In total there are 32 different nations represented. A walk around the grounds of the Tour in António’s company can take time – everybody wants to shake his hand or give him a hug, and he has a word and a smile for everybody.
António Moura, Vilamoura Champions Tour, Algarve
For the duration of the Champions and Atlantic Tours, the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre becomes a veritable city of horse boxes. The horses competing here are very valuable and they travel in style…..Some of the horses stay for the duration of the event, some for just 2 or 3 weeks, each with its own team of grooms and rider. António has ensured quality conditions for the horses, which is essential in attracting top level competitors to the Vilamoura Tour. To the uninitiated, the paddock may look like a large field spread with sand. In fact, the jumping paddocks at the Tour are equal to the finest in the world. Made by OttoSport, a specific sand is used (available at only one location in Portugal), mixed with silica and overlying a layer of rubber matting, thus reducing as much as possible the risk of injury to the horses. It is this care and expertise that has made the event such as success among the equestrian fraternity.
Vilamoura Champions Tour, Algarve
The participants in the Tour events may have come to the Algarve for the horses, but many return here subsequently for other reasons. Some have fallen in love with the beauty of the Algarve beaches, the great weather and fabulous food and are looking to buy property here. Others love the proximity of world class golf courses and enjoy a round or two while the rest of the family is at the riding centre. All love the hospitable, friendly and relaxed atmosphere that they find both within the Tour grounds, and outside of its confines.
Depsite the very relaxed atmosphere, the Vilamoura Champions Tour is a serious competition, as is the Atlantic Tour. Between them, there is well over €1million in prize money as well as ranking points to be won. There are international competitions as well as competitions for amateur riders. There are 5 paddocks or arenas in total within the grounds of the tour as well as a restaurant and bar area and a lounge area with excellent views of the two main arenas where you can see the elite of the equestrian world in action.
Vilamoura Champions Tour – 25th Sept – 19th Oct 2014
Vilamoura Atlantic Tour – 17th Feb – 5th April 2015
Entrance is free to spectators
Contacts:
www.alubox.pt
Tel: +351 218 070 929 and +351 917 600 969
