Selle Français claims back to back wins in the 8 year old Final and 9 year old stallion Final on day 3 in Valkenswaard

Cheers echoed through the stands on day 3 of the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions Trophy at the Longines Tops International Arena as the 8 year old 1.45m Final got underway.  

The atmosphere was electric as the Selle Français team galloped into the ring. First up for the team was Sara Brionne and Grand Duc du Paradiso (Vagabond de la Pomme x Toulon). The pair delivered a stylish round, coming home clear for the team. With the first clear round secured, the Selle Français supporters could be heard chanting and singing from the sidelines as Corentin Derouet and Gwenndu de Kergane (Capoutchi de Kergane x Grand Chef Bleus) started the course. They secured another clear for their team, punching the air in excitement as the Selle Français supporters cheered. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Arthur Le Vot and Giulio du ter (Windows vh Costersveld x Rosire) set off. They were on track for a clear but acquired four faults at the third fence from home. Nevertheless, cheers rang out as the team left the arena, having delivered an unbeatable time. 

“We are proud of all of our horses,” said a beaming Sara Brionne. “It’s incredible with the French supporters cheering and the setting is just beautiful, it’s a great arena. We are very proud and very happy!” Brionne felt good about the team’s chances in the coming finals saying, “I think we have a chance of winning in all categories because the French horses are very good and I hope we come home with more wins.”

The Zangersheide Studbook rode into the arena, looking to climb up the rankings. Harrie Smolders and Devino vd Weretherbach Z (De Flor 111 Z x Calvin Z) were soaring across the grass and looked to be on track for a clear, but acquired four faults on the penultimate fence.  Martin Dinesen Neergaard and Disney Z (Dimitri Z x Numero Uno) were next up for Zangerseheide. The pair delivered a calm and cool round, coming home clear. Last to go for the team was Loewie Joppen and Champion Charles Z (Romeo x Carthago Z). They fought to the finish, delivering another clear for the team.

The KWPN was next to go. Julian de Boer and Lloyd (Namelus R x Cantos) went first for the team, delivering a beautiful round and coming home clear. Next up, Michael Greeve flawlessly navigated the course aboard Luka-Cara (Akarad Hero Z x Casco), securing a second clear round for the KWPN team. Last to go for KWPN was Maikel van der Vleuten riding Lalique (Berlin). Despite four faults on course, their time was fast enough to overtake Zangerseheide to secure second place. 

The class had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The Anglo European Studbook were first to go in the class, but an uncharacteristic fall for team anchor Denis Lynch from Four Seasons (For Pleasure x Cassini II) saw AES’s hopes of a podium dashed. The challenging course proved a test to the finish. The final fence caught out many riders including the Westphalian Studbook’s Carlotta Schepers aboard Cherry Blossom 5 (Comme Il Faut x Graf Top) as well as last to go Marcel Schneider and Chucky PS (Chacoon Blue x Cornet Obolensky) for Oldenburg International who both were on track to deliver solid rounds for their team before a run out as they headed for home.

Closing out the day was the 9 year old stallion 1.45m Final. In a dramatic finish to the day, the Selle Français team claimed back to back wins in both Finals of day 3. 

First up for the team was Dylan Levallois with Funky Music Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Apache d'Adriers). The pair raced across the grass. Despite four faults on course, they were met with cheers from Selle Français supporters as they crossed the finish line. Next to go was Stéphane Dufour and Diego de Blondel (Vigo Cece x Dollar Dela Pierre). They took no prisoners, coming home clear and posting the fastest time of the class, the crowd going wild. Last to go for the team was Francois Xavier Boudant with GFE Falko de Hus (Baloubet du Rouet x Vivaldi du Seigneur) despite a rail on the penultimate fence, Selle Français fans cheered as they raced across the finish, ultimately securing the team’s second win of the day. 

“I have three very good horses and riders so I felt like I had a chance to win,” said Selle Français team manager Franck Schillewaert. “We have the 6 year old and 7 year old Finals tomorrow and I think we have a chance. Perhaps not for a win, but for a podium.” Schillewaert remarked on the Selle Français’ incredible team spirit, saying, “For me it is very important to have a good team cohesion. All together, good moments, bad moments, we stay all together. After all, it’s a sport and in sport you don’t say if you win or not, but the team is always supporting each other which is very important.”

Shane Breen opened the class for the Anglo European Studbook with Just Special (I M Special de Muze). The pair delivered a smooth round, acquiring just four faults on course. Next up were Anna Jellis and C.Star WW (Big Star x Otangelo). The pair had some miscommunications on course, ultimately coming home on a score of 12. Last up for the team was Iris Hakvoort riding ADSL van www.Olland.Biz (Allegro x Namelus R). They looked to be on track for a clear as they navigated the course. Disappointment echoed through the crowd as the final fence fell, acquiring four faults. 

The KWPN charged into the arena with their eye on the top spot. First up for the team was Roelof Bril with Iberico (Contendro I x Otangelo). The pair found a good pace but acquired four faults on course, meaning teammates Bas Moerings and Ronnie Jones had to go clear in order to overtake Selle Français. Next up, Moerings and Jesther (Cardento x Guidam) looked to be headed for a clear when the final two fences fell, securing the win for Selle Français. Last to go Jones with Key West (Otangelo x Phin-Phin) set off quickly, eager to hold the AES at bay. With just one rail on course, Jones was met with cheers as he crossed the finish line, securing second place for the KWPN. 

Teams gathered in the Palace du Concours to toast a thrilling day of competition. With three Finals still to be decided tomorrow, all eyes will be on the Selle Français team as we watch to see if they can continue their winning streak or if a new team will emerge victorious on the final day of the 2024 season at LTIA.

CSI2* Small Tour Against the Clock 1.15m 

Britain's Annabel Shields seems unbeatable in the CSI2* Small Tour. Yesterday she won the class with B.E. Flygold and this morning she repeated this feat by claiming victory with Carte d'Or SDW Z. The Zangersheide-registered mare (Comme Il Faut x Presley Boy) stopped the clock in a breakneck fast time of 54.82 seconds. The 32-year-old rider has only recently had the mare, ridden by her partner Sven Joseph Hadley (IRL) last year, under the saddle with this being only their second international start. Germany's Philine Gröpper finished second with the Holstein mare Paula's Isabella (Dinken x Lord). They crossed the finish line in 55.07 seconds. Aniek Diks and her KWPN mare Moviestar Ad (Emir R x Quidam de Revel) came third with a time of 55.70 seconds.

8 Year Old Consolation Class 1.45m

First place in the consolation class for eight-year-olds went to Oldenburg International. Meganus PS, bred and owned by Gestüt Lewitz and ridden by Japanese rider Eiken Sato realised the fastest round in this against the clock class. The stallion (Messenger x Carthago Z) crossed the finish line in 66.63 seconds. The KWPN gelding Larado O (Grandorado TN x Verdi TN), ridden by Steven Veldhuis (NED) and owned by Munsteg Horses and Rinus Blom, was second with a time of 68.06 seconds. The Irish Sport Horse studbook came third with LVS Goldrush H (Stakkato Gold x Arko III). This gelding was ridden over the finish line by Ethen Ahearne (IRL) in 69.75 seonden.

9 Year Old Stallion Consolation Class 1.45m

The approved stallions aged nine and over also rode their consolation competition today. Eight stallions competed and a Zangersheide-registered stallion, Creme de la Creme Z crossed the finish line fastest. The beautiful nine-year-old Cornet Obolensky son went through the course in 71.11 seconds with Italian rider Filippo Tabarini. The dark brown stallion was bred and owned by Carmel Ryan. Second place was for the KWPN. Jaloubet K VDL, son of the legendary Baloubet du Rouet, stayed clear in a time of 79.30 seconds with Thea Jelcic (CRO). The stallion is at stud with VDL Stud and is approved for KWPN, Zangersheide, Holstein, Hannover and Oldenburg International. Phenomene Blue VDM, owned by Hadley Sport Horses ltd, came third for the Belgian Warmblood Horse. Ireland’s Sven Joseph Hadley rode the chic black stallion across the finish line in the fastest time but unfortunately had four penalties.

7 Year Old 1.40m Against the Clock

In the seven-year-olds, who were presented with an against the clock class, the Oldenburg International shined once again. The studbook had no fewer than three offspring in the top 10. Zangersheide and the Westphalian studbook counted two each in the top 10. However, the winner was a representative of the Swedish Warmblood studbook. The beautiful Qurious HS (Comme Il Faut x Diamant de Semilly) was by far the fastest in this class. Ridden by Nicole Holmén, the gelding went through the course smoothly and at a fast pace, recording a time of 64.44 seconds. Second place went to Oldenburg International mare Flying Kiss (Kannan x Cassini I), ridden by Germany's Naomi Himmelreich, who stopped the clock at 66.26 seconds. The Westphalian stud claimed third place with Fiorucci JH (Franco x Arpeggio) who crossed the finish line in 66.51 seconds with Greta Reinacher. 

In the standings after two qualifiers, the Oldenburg International Studbook is still in the lead with 467 points. In second place is the Westfälisches Pferdestammbuch with 436 points followed closely by the Selle Français with 434 points.

CSI2* Big Tour Against the Clock 1.40m

Japanese rider Eiken Sato was in a winning mood today. In the morning, he won the eight-year-olds' consolation class and in the afternoon he also claimed victory in the CSI2* Big Tour against the clock competition. He crossed the finish line in 66.15 seconds with the 12-year-old Holstein gelding SSF Freedom (Catoki x Calato). The 38-year-old Japanese is no stranger, having represented his country at three Olympic Games (2008, 2021 and 2024) and at three World Championships (2006, 2010 and 2022). He has been riding with Paul Schockemöhle's stable in Mühlen, Germany, for years. Last year he was also in Valkenswaard during the Olympic qualifier. Yesterday's winner, Colombian Ruben Arroyave, was now second with the Zangersheide mare Valeska Z (Van Gogh x Balou du Rouet) in a of 66.84 seconds. Third place went to Dane Christian Jansen with Stenvangs Daiquiri (Holst, Catoo x Clarimo). They realised a time of 67.30 seconds.

6 Year Old 1.35m Against the Clock

In the six-year-old category, the winner collected points for the Irish Sport Horse studbook. Maximum Numero Too HSH was the very fastest in today's against the clock class, just like on Thursday. The elegant and talented gelding was expertly ridden through the course by Irishman Sven Joseph Hadley in a time of 67.10 seconds. Maximum Numero Too is a son of Aganix du Seigneur out of a Numero Uno mare and is owned by Hadley Sport Horses ltd. Second place went to a representative of the Hanoverian studbook, Quinn HW (Qualito x Lordanos). The chestnut crossed the finish line in 69.38 seconds with German rider Dieter Smitz. This stallion was bred by Hartmut Wilharm and is owned by Christina Hellwig. Third place was for BE/SIES Breeders Elite Studbook's Ashent Go Ballistic, with Gemma Stevens (GBR) in the saddle. The stallion is a son of Warrior and bred by and owned by Brendon Stud. 

Maximum Numero Too HSH's victory gave the Irish Sport Horse Studbook enough points to knock the Selle Français out of first place. The ISH now leads with 467 points after two qualifiers. The Selle Français is in second place with 451 points followed by the Westfälisches Pferdestammbuch in third place with 417 points.

CSI2* Medium Tour Against the Clock 1.30m

Dutchman Piet Raijmakers Jr confirmed his good form by also winning the CSI2* Medium Tour today. In this against the clock class (1.30m), he was again by far the fastest with his KWPN gelding Van Schijndel's Hanibal (by Van Schijndel's Rascin). The duo, starting 14th, flew over the fences and stopped the clock at 60.95 seconds. None of the 33 combinations after him could avoid his victory. Belgian Kasper de Boeck made another good attempt but still crossed the finish line 3.36 seconds later with Never Sky van het Kritrahof (BWP, Triopmphe de Riverland x Eros Platiere). With this time, he came second. Kevin Jochems (NED) came third with Looks Good de Liebri Z (Zang, Lector van den Bisschop x Bentley van de Heffinck) with a time of 66.29 seconds.