LGCT of Valkenswaard Day 1: Celebrating show jumping on the highest level

CSIYH1* Young Horses 2 Phase Special 1.30m/.35m

The six and seven year-old young horses started the first day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard in the CSIYH1* Young Horses 2 Phase Special 1.30m/.35m class. 39-year-old Sofia Westborg (SWE) quickly took the lead and her time could not be matched by any of the 45 combinations after her. She rode the six-year-old Zangersheide mare Agalove AB Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Indoctro) across the finish line in 36.23 seconds. The rider who lives in Bree, Belgium, was happy with her horse. “My horse felt good and I am looking forward to the six-year-olds' competition on grass tomorrow and to the final on Sunday.” Germany's Katrin Eckermann made a serious attempt to improve Westborg's time but needed 1.06 seconds more. She stopped the clock at 37.29 seconds with the seven-year-old mare Viva Fly NRW (Westf, Vivant x Starpower) bred by her father Otmar Eckermann. Third place went to Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo with seven-year-old gelding Horlaloi de Riverland (SF, Untouchable 27 x l'Arc de Triomphe).

CSI1* Against the Clock 1.35m

The Netherlands’ Cecile Klaasen-Van den Broek won the CSI1* Against the Clock 1.35m class with Cilydi (KWPN, Contendro II x Quattro). It had been three years since she last competed at the Longines Tops International Arena, when she also won a class with the same horse. Today, she was the fastest with a time of 57.71 seconds. Afterwards, she said “my horse is a super star, she is always fast.” Second place went to the talented Aniek Diks (NED) with Qointreau van't Hoogeinde (BWP, Stakkato x Echo van ‘t Spieveld). She already won two classes in Valkenswaard this season with this eight-year-old gelding during Summer Festivals 1 and 2. Yoni van Santvoort completed the all-Dutch podium with Kathleen S (KWPN, Eldorado van de Zeshoek x No Ski).

CSI1* Two Phase Special 1.20m & CSI1* Two Phase 1.10m class

Fifty combinations were on the start list for the CSI1* Two Phase Special 1.20m class on Friday morning of which 30 managed to ride clear in both phases. The fastest was Saif Awaida Mohammed Alkirbi (UAE) who crossed the finish line in 32.18 seconds in the second phase. He had saddled the nine-year-old AES mare Billy Tiara (Billy Congo x Lux Z) for this competition. This marked the 20-year-old rider’s debut in Valkenswaard and he was super pleases with his victory. “I am very happy with this victory. The show is just great!” Second place went to Mayoof Abdulaziz Alromaihi (BRN) with Kavallo S. They stopped the clock in the second phase at 33.56 seconds. Dutchman Niels Berkvens came third with Miss Ottawa TN (KWPN, Malibu TN x Come On) with a time of 34.48 seconds.

The CSI1* Two Phase 1.10m class was won by Sultan Abdulaziz Mayoof Alromaihi (BRN) and Grappa. The young tlanet, just 17-year-old, stopped the clock at 30.18 seconds to claim victory. Two riders from Qatar followed in second and third place: Ibrahim Yousuf Al Mahmoud with Kadanz D and Abdulla Khalid AL Julandani with Carte Blanche.

CSI2* Big Tour Against the Clock 1.45m class

The CSI2* Big Tour Against the Clock 1.45m class, was convincingly won by top Italian rider Lorenzo de Luca with his 11-year-old mare Dirka de Blondeel (SF, Very Berlin de Castel x Lauterbach). De Luca and the mare have been a super combination for a couple of years now, having many victories to their name. “I am really very happy. Dirka is an amazing horse and she loves speed and can be very fast,” the Italian said afterwards. Another top rider, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, the 2019 European Champion with the legendary Clooney 51, came second with a time of 64.23 seconds. He did so with a new horse, Zero K. American Julie Welles came third with 12-year-old mare Mademoiselle-A (BWP, Corland x Cardento 933), owned by the Rein family from Canada.

CSI2* Medium Tour 2 Phases 1.40m

In the CSI2* Medium Tour 2 Phases 1.40m class, Henk van de Pol looked like he was going to ensure a Dutch victory, but Italian Roberto Previtali, who was second last to start, threw a wrench in his plan. The 31-year-old rider from Bergama rode a clear round, bettering Van de Pol's time. He crossed the finish line in 25.01 seconds with the nine-year-old Kallmar VDL (KWPN, Carrera VDL x Labor's VDL Indorado). Previtali was a satisfied man: “It went very well, I am very happy with the result. I brought Kallmar here especially because he is so fast.” Henk van de Pol was thus second with No Fathers Girl (BWP, Verde Gaio x Eldorado van de Zeshoek TN) with a time of 25.51 seconds. Fellow countryman Leopold van Asten finished in third place with VDL Groep Urane de Talma (SF, Argentinus x Landor S). They crossed the finish line in 26.09 seconds.

CSI5* 2 Phase 1.45m

Francesco Turturiello of Italy delivered a lightning-fast round aboard his mount Palina Keeps ZL in the  CSI5* 2 Phase 1.45m class. The Italian rider flew across the gorgeous grass arena at the Longines Tops International Arena to claim first place. “I am very excited and so happy. It’s just the second show that I am riding her and I am so happy for the owners,” said Turturiello “and thanks to my groom, Elisa, she is amazing!”  

Second place went to Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer aboard Just Special VK. Schwizer made quick work of the course, but could not quite match the quick time set by Turturiello. Rounding out the top three was Hasan Senturk of Turkey. Senturk came home on a clean sheet with Onatella van 't Roosakker, stopping the clock less than half a second behind Schwizer.

Close behind was Belgian talent Jérôme Guery who put on the gas in the second phase riding Careca LS Elite to secure fourth place. Dutchman Jur Vrieling found a good rhythm aboard Eurofighter EP, earning the pair a top five finish.