King’s sister makes secret Costa showjumping visit

THE Infanta Elena, King Felipe of Spain’s older sister, made a surprise appearance at the weekend to take part in a showjumping competition in Estepona.

Arriving in Malaga on the AVE high-speed train from Madrid on Friday, April 24, the Infanta spent the weekend at the luxury, five-star Kempinski hotel and used the time between classes on Saturday and Sunday to catch up with old friends who share her lifelong passion for jumping, Cayetano Martinez de Irujo and brothers Salvador and Luis Astolfi.

Elena de Borbon’s horse Qant had been signed up for the competition in the name of her instructor and friend Felipe Zureta, possibly to avoid the detection of her impending presence at the event, held at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre, Costa del Sol.

Failing to reach the finals of the competition, the Infanta returned to Madrid and her children Froilan and Victoria by train on Sunday.