A home victory for Gerben Morsink on day 3 of the Longines Global Future Champions
August 11, 2024The final day of the Summer Festival 3 – Longines Global Future Champions proved thrilling till the final jump. In the CSI4* Grand Prix 1.50m, thirteen combinations rode clear in the first round, setting the stage for an epic jump off.
Taking the win on home turf in the closing stages of the class, Gerben Morsink aboard his fifteen year old Navarone Z had the crowd on their feet and cheering from the grandstands. Built by Gregory Bodo, the courses were set to challenge the combinations and bring out the very best sporting action.
As the riders prepared to battle for victory in the jump off the scoreboard was reset to zero and it was all to play for.
Nicola Philippaerts looked to be on the hunt for a win as he entered the arena aboard Derby de Riverland. The Belgian talent rode full gas across the course, taking an early lead and stopping the clock at 36.21 seconds. Next to go in the jump off was Henk van de Pol of the Netherlands. Van de Pol laid down a quick round, but could not quite catch Philippaerts, tentatively jumping into second place.
Fellow Dutchman Leopold van Asten was next up. Van Asten looked to be on track for a win but was felled by the final fence. Despite four faults, Van Asten earned a top ten finish aboard VDL Groep Nino du Roton and was met by cheers from the home crowd as he left the arena. Italy was next to go with Gianni Govoni. Despite a fault on the final fence, the Italian rider secured a top ten finish aboard Kir Royaal Delta Mossel Z.
Enter, Laura Kraut. The crowd fell silent as the American show jumping star rode clear but could not quite match the pace of the lightning fast Philippaerts, jumping tentatively into third place. The Netherlands’ Marc Houtzager entered the arena aboard Sterrehof's Dante. Despite four faults on course, the pair finished in the top ten.
Next to go was fellow countryman Lars Kersten. Kersten delivered a quick round aboard Chuck Marienshof Z, tentatively claiming third place. Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca raced across the grass with his mount Don Vito. De Luca stopped the clock at 37.58 seconds, tentatively claiming third place. Eduardo Pereira De Menezes of Brazil delivered a smooth and quick round aboard Hot N Spicy, taking fifth place.
Last to go in this 4* Grand Prix was Dutch hero Gerben Morsink. The Dutch rider was met by applause as he entered the arena. The tension was palpable and the crowd were on the edge of their seats as he started the course. Morsink flew across the arena Navarone Z, determined to better Philipaerts’ time and take the win. He stopped the clock at 35.48 seconds, claiming victory as the crowd erupted in cheers for the Dutch rider. Morsink said it was a special moment for him to win on home turf, “I am just so happy and incredibly proud of my horse. It was really nice, my parents and friends were here to watch and cheer me on. It was a super day, I am really happy!”
With an incredible home win, spirits were high as Summer Festival 3 – Longines Global Future Champions drew to a close. The Longines Tops International Arena now prepares for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, coming to LTIA in just two week’s time.
Join us August 23 - 35 as the biggest names in show jumping descend on Valkenswaard to go head to head for top honors.
CSIYR Grand Prix 1.50m presented by Longines
In the CSIYR Grand Prix presented by Longines the course was set at 1.50m, a jump-off was not necessary. Canadian Cassidy Rein was the only competitor to go clear in the first round, rounding out her incredible weekend.
The 20-year-old rider rode her 12-year-old KWPN gelding Habab W (Nabab de Reve x Padinus) in this important class. Taking home a Longiens watch, Cassidy Rein was presented the timepiece by Erik Schenk of Longines Netherlands.
A great result especially considering she has only been riding this horse for less than three months. A beaming Rein couldn't contain her excitement, "He was amazing! This was my first 1.50m with him. He is a new ride for me and I couldn’t be happier with him. We’re excited for the future.”
The fastest four-faulter was Dutch Nikita Cheung and the 12-year-old mare Noberlina vd Laarseheide Z (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin). They crossed the finish line in 71.45 seconds. Belgian rider Jef Peeters came third with Olina van 't Ruytershof (Jenson van 't Meulenhof x For Pleasure) with a time of 71.52 seconds.
