Sofia Westborg Claims Victory in CSIYH1* Young Horses 2 Phase Special 1.30m/.35m Class
August 23, 2024The 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. Sofia Westborg claimed the win aboard her six year old horse in the first class of the LGCT of Valkenswaard.
Sofia Westborg of Sweden 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 could not quite match the lightning fast time set by Westborg. 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. Rounding out the top three was Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo with seven-year-old gelding Horlaloi de Riverland (SF, Untouchable 27 x l'Arc de Triomphe).
Close behind was Pius Schwizer of Switzerland riding Hamelia who stopped the clock at 38.63 seconds to take fourth place. Completing the top five was the Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen aboard Monfaut Gumo MP.
1st Place - Sofia Westborg, Agalove AB Z (SWE)
2nd Place - Katrin Eckermann, Viva Fly NRW (GER)
3rd Place - Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo, Horlaloi de Riverland (BRA)
4th Place - Pius Schwizer, Hamelia (SUI)
5th Place - Sanne Thijssen, Monfaut Gumo MP (NED)
6th Place - Jane Richard, Cinderella Z (SUI)
7th Place - Teddy van de Rijt, New Hope (NED)
8th Place - Kim Emmen, Nimrod DMH (NED)
9th Place - Koen Vereecke, Special Star de Corlato (BEL)
10th Place - Jérôme Guery, Remus de Mariposa (BEL)
