Moura Tours – Straight Off the Plane and Into the CSN5* Show
- Mia Lerchl
- Apr 16, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
From April 11th to 13th, 2025, something truly special was on my calendar: my first European show of the year – the CSN5* Moura Tours in Valencia, Spain.
Special? Oh yes – in more ways than one! First, because I spend the first six months of every year living and training in Cape Town – so this was the first time I had ever traveled to Spain, accompanied only by my trainer Cassidy. And second, because I hadn’t ridden my competition horse King since December 2024.
So basically: off the plane, straight into the saddle – and right into the five-star show jumping action!
Friday: Easing Back In
To settle in, King and I started in the 1.10 m class on Friday – and wow, what a feeling to be back in the arena with him! Everything just clicked: the connection, the trust, the rhythm. Right away, I knew – we’re ready for more.
Saturday & Sunday: Leveling Up
On the weekend, we stepped it up: two rounds in the 1.20 m class – both clear! And as the cherry on top, we even made it into the TOP 15 once. A proud moment for me, especially after such a long break from competing with King.
Something unexpected happened during our Sunday round: King lost one of his horseshoes on his front leg - in the middle of the course! The moment was actually caught on camera by one of the show photographers. But King didn’t flinch – and neither did I. We didn’t even notice until afterwards. That’s how focused and cool he was. A true professionalmoment that reminded me once again how much we trust each other.
A Week to Remember – Horses, Happiness & Growing Up
This trip - traveling without my parents for the first time - showed me that I’m ready for that kind of independence too. Every day in Valencia felt like a dream. I soaked up every moment with my horses. Alongside King, my second and new horse O'Brian was also at the show - he was ridden by Pau, my Spanish trainer. Having both horses there made the experience even more special. I couldn’t stop smiling; I was simply overflowing with happiness. Every picture that follows captures just how much joy I felt being there with my horses.
Takeaway: Confidence, Trust & a Seamless Reconnection
This week was a powerful mix of adventure, learning, and genuine passion. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and proud of how quickly King and I reconnected - despite the long break, the distance between us, and limited prep time.
Moura Tours wasn’t just a sporting highlight; it marked a real step forward - for me as a rider, as a person, and as a team with my horse.
The season is far from over - next up, another exciting chapter awaits me back in South Africa.
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