Back to back wins for Iñigo Lopez at Longines Global Future Champions

On the penultimate day of action at the Longines Global Future Champions event reaches its penultimate day of action, the excitement and anticipation among equestrian enthusiasts and spectators alike reached a crescendo. The event at Longines Tops International Arena, known for showcasing the most promising young talents in the world of showjumping, has proven to be an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. The penultimate day delivered remarkable achievements, none more impressive than the back-to-back wins by the rising star, Iñigo Lopez De La Osa Franco, in the highly competitive 1.45m Young Riders class.

Iñigo Lopez De La Osa Franco and Divina de la Cologne shot to the top of the leaderboard after a flawless round beating Aya Hamcho riding Zef by over four seconds. Fellow Syrian competitor Laith Ali picked up third onboard Camelia de la Vigne while young talent and frequent winner at LTIA Kasper de Boeck secured fourth place on Nepal S. Charlotte Höing, Aaron Tijskens, and Ida Selin were the only other clear rounds over the technical course.

In a lightning-fast 1.35m young riders speed class, local favorite Fleur Holleman dominated with the exceptional Innuendo R&D stopping the clock in 64.91s. Charlotte Höing came home in a close second place with Caboom as the Longines timer showed 65.21s. Producing the goods on the huge grass arena Alice Oost and Fominka took third place on the podium after navigating all the inside turns but just off the pace slightly.

Beyond the thrilling equestrian action, the Longines Global Future Champions event has provided a fantastic day out for families and spectators. With an array of family fun entertainment options to cater to all ages, delicious food stalls, and Live DJs, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

As the penultimate day wraps up, all eyes are now eagerly focused on the biggest day of action tomorrow. The Grand Prix classes promise to be an epic culmination of the event, featuring the next generation competing for prestigious titles and valuable prizes. Spectators can expect a nail-biting atmosphere filled with suspense and exhilaration as these equestrian stars put their skills to the test.

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Today the order was reversed at the top of the 1.20m class against the clock. Yesterday Dutch rider Madée Schuttenbeld won and today she was relegated to second place with the 15-year-old gelding Piccolo R by Marie Eder Ferrero (MON) who came second yesterday. Ferrero was determined when she entered the arena first and set such a fast time with Monseigneur, 58.02 seconds, that no combination after her could improve on that time. Third place, like yesterday, was for Britain's Noora von Bülow and Julius.

Speed was also the deciding factor in the last two competitions of the second day at Longines Tops International Arena. In the 1.45m competition, it was again Portuguese Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida who set the fastest time, winning this class. Today he had saddled the ISH gelding Pegasus Dawsons Flex and sent him lightning-fast over the finish line in 61.43 seconds. Piet Raijmakers Jr occupied a good second place with his top horse Van Schijndel's Olaya Z. He stopped the clock at exactly 63 seconds. Mexican Nicolas Pizarro needed 1.67 seconds more to clear the course. He finished in third place with Corona Z.

The very last competition was a class against the clock with obstacles up to 1.30m. Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida and his horses are in top form. After winning the 1.45m class just before, he was also the fastest in this class. The 30-year-old who lives in Panningen, Netherlands, rode the eight-year-old KWPN mare Karonia L in this competition. With his time of 58.04 seconds, Vronie van de Rijt's hopes of victory vanished. She led for a long time with Neil Diamo d'Art but eventually had to settle for second place. Giesteira Almeida also took third place with Epure de B'Neville.

Juniors

The Juniors got off to an early start on the second day of the Longines Global Future Champions event in a class against the clock (1.20m). The rounds were fast and in the end it was Britain's Olivia Banks who took victory. The 17-year-old rider from Chester rode a super good round with the KWPN mare Lahelien W. They stopped the clock at 56.87 seconds, delegating Belgium's Estee Bomeré and Moonshine van 't Ameldonk Z to second place. Marie Eder Ferrero (MON) finished in third place with Jina van 't Althof.

In the 1.35m class, Belgian Kasper de Boeck repeated his victory from yesterday. He and his beautiful bay mare Dalida were once again the fastest, crossing the finish line in 58.96 seconds. The 16-year-old rider has only recently had Dalida under saddle. Since May this year, he has been riding the 12-year-old mare, who was previously ridden by Thibaut Bollen, Bert Jay Jr Vandecasteele and Gilles Thomas. Second place went to Dutch Emma Bocken with Rinken Z. Bocken won the silver team medal at the European Championships this year and in 2022 and a gold team medal in 2019. Mexico's Federica Fernandez came third with Charmeur 436.

Children

13-year-old Chloé Hoste convincingly won the against the clock competition for Children. The Belgian talent recently took part in the European Championships in Gorla Minore, Italy, where she and the team achieved a great fourth place. She achieved that result with Valeriane de Moyon, the same horse with which she beat everyone today including her compatriot Clémentine Lux, who won the individual gold medal at the same championship. Lux had saddled the Zangersheide mare Cyclone W van de Dauwhoeve Z for this class. Third place went to Britain's Sula von Bülow with Dabelle.

Ponies

The 1.30m combinations in the ponies event competed for victory in a class against the clock. Britain's Tabitha Kyle took the lead immediately as the second starter with an incredibly fast time. She and her pony Atomic du Bary flew clear through the course in 52.35 seconds. This was a time none of the 23 combinations after her could match. Dutch rider Renske van Middendorp came closest but was more than five seconds slower. She stopped the clock at 57.96 seconds with Labonta ZV. Germany's Emma Hertz-Eichenrode came third with Bente.

Then it was the turn of the 1.10m riders. Nine combinations stayed clear in the first round, qualifying for the jump-off. The fastest were Germany's Lena-Marie Kraus and Hipp Hopp with a time of 33.67 seconds. Second was her compatriot Rafael Reichart-Eisenhardt with Samba van de Groenheuvel, followed by Italy's Charlotte Maccagnani with her pony Bracken du Kyo.

In the 1.15m class against the clock, Belgium's Elise Thirion with Gregaho d'Alphi was the fastest with a time of 53.95 seconds. Britain's Emma Perrett was second with Olympia and Italian Leonardo Basola finished in third place with Cheops des Embets.