The beautiful port of Vilamoura has been inundated over the past weeks with the showjumping fraternity of Europe as 500 horses, showjumpers, grooms, owners, family and general supporters moved into this most beautiful of towns for the 2005 Winter Tour.

Vilamoura is a superb fishing village which now sees very few fishing boats parked at the glamourous marina (pictured below), which hosts some of the most superb restaurants, a variety of shops to delight everyone and a climate which is usually great one day and perfect the next!

The 2005 tour has seen some of the cold weather which has hit most of Europe this year - but it is still better than most places.

The four week tour at Vilamoura sees age classes for horses from Monday to Wednesday - Thursday is the official "day off" and Friday through to Sunday hosts the Grand Prix circuit and also the Amateur circuit - giving a 6 day week of excellent jumping on very good surfaces.