9 August 2024

Competition is in full swing at the Longines Tops International Arena for the Longines Global Future Champions event. The sun came out in Valkenswaard for the CSI4* Against the Clock 1.50m speed class, as a field of 31 top combinations stepped up to tackle the course set by none other than Gregory Bodo.

Top names such as Daniel Deusser, Maikel van der Vleuten, Lorenzo de Luca, and Jessica Springsteen have all converged on the spectacular Longines Tops International Arena for a weekend of top sporting action. 

Olivier Philippaerts flawlessly piloted his mount Poppemieke JW van de Moerhoeve across the breathtaking grass arena to take the win. The Belgian talent stopped the clock at 61.67 seconds to claim first place. "My mare felt very good today. I didn't have a chance to watch any of the others go before me, but I knew they were quick. I was able to keep my forward rhythm and take the first distance off each turn.” said Philippaerts, who is looking forward to the coming days of competition here in Valkenswaard. 

He went on to add, “The grass here in Valkenswaard is brilliant - the underlayer of sand keeps the horses very balanced, and supported. I couldn't be more pleased and now I look ahead to Sunday's Grand Prix with this mare."

Sanne Thijssen was first to go in the expansive grass arena. The Dutch talent set the pace with a fast clear round riding Iron Dames Keiralanda VDM. Rik Hemeryck was next up aboard Navarro van het Eelshof. The Belgian rider took no prisoners and delivered a fast round, tentatively jumping into first place. 

Next to go was Mike Kawai of Japan. Kawai looked calm and confident aboard Saxo de la Cour, posting a smooth clear round with the chestnut gelding. American show jumping icon Laura Kraut entered the arena aboard Picco Bello v/h Panishof. Kraut made it look easy, posting a clear round and tentatively jumping into second place.

Dutch rider Joy Lammers delivered a beautiful clear round aboard First Boy B.B., tentatively claiming fourth place. Fellow countryman Marc Houtzager of the Netherlands came home on a clean sheet, earning a top five finish aboard Sterrehof's Calimero. Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira De Menezes made quick work of the course aboard Hot N Spicy but could not quite catch the lightning fast Philippaerts, tentatively taking fifth place. Saudi Arabian rider Meshari Alharbi delivered a quick, clear round in the stunning arena aboard his mount Hi There, securing a top ten finish. 

Next to go was Gerben Morsink of the Netherlands. The crowd cheered for Morsink aboard Navarone Z as the Dutch rider laid down a quick time, tentatively jumping into third. Italy’s Gianni Govoni rode a smooth round aboard Kir Royaal Delta Mossel Z, earning a top ten finish. Last to go was Leopold van Asten of the Netherlands. The Dutch rider flew across the arena with VDL Groep Nino du Roton coming home less than a second behind leader Philippaerts, taking second place. 

As day one drew to a close, spectators and riders alike gathered in the Place du Concours to toast to a successful first day of competition. Spirits were high as the Longines Tops International Arena looked forward to the coming two days of competition. Join us for what is shaping up to be a sensational weekend of competition in Valkenswaard.

CSI J 2 Phase Special 1.20m

The juniors kicked off the first day of the Longines Global Future Champions at the Longines Tops International Arena. The young talents rode the CSIJ 2 Phase Special 1.20m class. Italy's Camilla Rossi took the lead halfway through the competition and none of the following combinations were able to improve on her time. The 15-year-old talent stopped the clock at 32.78 seconds with her, also 15-year-old, Zangersheide gelding Calviska de la Falize Z (Calvados Z x Papillon Rouge). The rider was very pleased with the performance of her horse, whom she has had under saddle since mid-2023. "My horse felt very good and I am very happy the way he went. We are excited for the rest of the weekend." Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi (UAE) came close to Rossi's time but had to settle for second place. He crossed the finish line in 32.93 seconds in the second phase with the 12-year-old mare Helaiza (Warrant x Casco). Third place went to Sheikh Mohammed Jassim A J Al Thani (QAT) with Lavesther (Elvis ter Putte x Guidam).

CSI YR Against the Clock 1.45m

Kasper de Boeck has been competing at Longines Tops International Arena since 2020 and in those years he has already managed to win seven classes. Today he added another victory to this long list. In the CSIYR Against the Clock 1.45m class, he was by far the fastest clear with the 12-year-old Hachiko (KWPN, Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Heartbreaker). He went through the course in a time of 73.02 seconds with the gelding he has only had under the saddle for 3 months. Denmark's Molly Øvlisen Fisher came second. She too stayed clear and stopped the clock at 83.27 seconds with Casirus (Casiro x Landor S). Cassidy Rein (CAN) came third with Habab-W (KWPN, Nabab de Reve x Padinus).

CSI2* 2 Phase 1.15m

Faris Saad A H Al Qahtani from Qatar could call himself the winner of the CSI2* 2 Phase 1.15m class. The 20-year-old rider had saddled the 12-year-old KWPN mare Hidiene (Whitaker x Canturano) for this class. With a super nice round, they stopped the clock at 32.18 seconds, more than 2 seconds faster than second-placed Mayoof Abdulaziz Alromaihi (BRN). Making his first appearance in Valkenswaard: "We already competed together in Doha this year but its our first time together at Longines Tops International Arena. It started super good, we’ve taken first place on the first day. Tomorrow we are competing in the 1.30 and 1.35m and hopefully we can do it again." Alromaihi finished in second place with the 16-year-old BWP mare Irish de Walput (by Quadrillo) with a time of 34.25 seconds. Al Qahtani's compatriot Saad Ahmed Al Saad came third with Irschi. They crossed the finish line in 35.12 seconds.

CSI J Against the Clock 1.35m 

Belgian Kasper De Boeck was unstoppable. In the morning he won the Young Riders class and a little later he was also fastest in the competition for Juniors, in the CSIJ Against the Clock 1.35m class. On this occasion, he had saddled the 14-year-old gelding Kiarado (BWP, Diarado x Coreggio) and stopped the clock at 63.05 seconds. Kasper likes coming to Valkenswaard: "I have been coming here for many years and I love it here. The accommodation is super, the stables, the hospitality, everything. And now also good results. I'm very happy with it." His compatriot Robin Vermeir came second with the 10-year-old mare Diamantina Z (Zang, Diamant de Semilly x Narcos). The combination rode their round in 63.15 seconds. Best Dutchman was Yves Willems. He crossed the finish line in 63.80 seconds with Highway (Otangelo x Numero Uno) and finished in third.

CSI2* Against the Clock 1.45m

In the CSI2* Against the Clock 1.45m competition, a total of 41 combinations competed, of which 22 stayed clear. So a fast time was of great importance. That task was best performed by Spain's Pilar Lucrecia Cordon. The 51-year-old, who has her base at Stephex Stables in Wolvertem, Belgium, sent her 11-year-old BWP mare (Baltic VDL x Indorado) over the finish line in 61.52 seconds. Cordon had a great start in Valkenswaard: “I am really happy to start like this. Today was perfect for me. I jumped three horses, all three clear and Noblesse won the class. Better is not possible for me and my horses. I am really happy to be here in Valkenswaard. Thank you to Jan to do all this for us with the great show and facilities. I really appreciate all the work that he puts into this.” Second place went to fast Italian Gianni Govoni with the 10-year-old gelding Only Special by Dobby-Home (Im Speciale de Muze x Orlando) followed by Rik Hemeryck (BEL) with E Mail de la Chapelle (Air Jordan x Capitol II).

CSI Ch 2 Phase 1.20m 

Dutch rider Dylara Peters was the fastest of the 24 participants in the CSICh 2 Phase 1.20m class for children. The only 13-year-old rider rode her seven-year-old chestnut Mabantan (Global Express VDL x Concorde) across the finish line in the incredibly fast time of 22.36 seconds. Her compatriot Imke Boden finished in second place. She needed 0.22 seconds more to clear the course with seven-year-old Cominka Z (Zang, Comme Il Faut x Topas). Belgium's Chanel De Roeck stopped the clock at 23.76 seconds to finish third with Camille van de Lentakker Z (Zang, Comme Il Faut x Prince de Revel).

CSI4* 2 Phase 1.45m

Daniel Deusser claimed victory in the CSI4* 2 Phase 1.45m class. The German talent was quick in the first phase, but his lightning-fast pace aboard Gangster v/h Noddevelt in phase two proved untouchable. Hot on his heels was fellow German David Will riding Kansall, stopping the clock just a fraction of a second behind Deusser. Young Belgian talent Kasper de Boeck rounded out the top three aboard his mount Nepal S. Vani Khosla (USA) riding Cream Couleur Z and Rik Hemeryck (BEL) riding Inoui du Seigneur took fourth and fifth place, respectively.

CSI P Classes 1.10m/1.15m/1.25m

In the late afternoon, the pony riders ruled in the sand arena. The young riders guaranteed speed and spectacle and got everyone out of their seats. Three classes were run, all a 2 Phase Special but with obstacles at different heights: 1.10m, 1.15m and 1.25m. The 1.10m was won by Britain's Jenny Sheader with her fast little grey Hans Own. Italy's Giulia Basola (Olan Pol) and Beatrice Albani (Ohlala 'C') finished second and third respectively. The 1.15m class was won by Dutch Renske van Middendorp with her super-fast pony Jolly. Second place was for Elise Thirion (BEL) and Dance Floor du Cauroy followed by Daniek Vissers (NED) with Delano in third place. Robin Vermeir (BEL) managed to win the 1.25m competition with Kristal Sparkle van Begeveld. Robin also came third with Extrait de Tatowin de Tinmont. Second place went to Dutch Renske van Middendorp and Dollar Boy II.

RESULTS