Leopold van Asten claims a home win on day two of the Summer Showcase in Valkenswaard

Competition is in full swing at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard as riders from across the globe go head to head in the Summer Showcase. 

Today’s CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier started out with a bang with the Netherlands’ Henk van de Poel first out on the grass. Fans gathered in the grandstand to watch the Dutch rider navigate the course aboard B Capotain Norman. Van de Poel came home clear and was met with cheers by the crowd as he crossed the finish line, setting the tone for this evening’s class. Fellow Dutch rider Kim Emmen flew across the arena riding her mount Island V G. The pair mastered the course, delivering the second clear round and taking the lead. 

Next in the arena was Giampiero Garofalo of Italy. Garofalo made quick work of the course aboard Gaspahr, tentatively claiming second place. Belgium’s Yenthe Schrijvers and Idem van ter Helst delivered a smooth, clear round. The pair stopped the clock at 82.55 seconds, tentatively claiming fourth place. 

Local hero Joy Lammers looked to be on track for a clear round riding First Boy B.B. The disappointment from her home crowd was palpable when she acquired an unfortunate fault on course. Despite the course faults, Lammers and First Boy B.B. were met with applause as they left the arena. Abdel Saïd of Belgium was on the hunt for a win as he looked to overtake the top spot from Kim Emmen. Saïd flew across the course aboard Calvaro, but ultimately could not match the pace set by Emmen, stopping the clock at 74.73 seconds and tentatively claiming second place.

Leopold van Asten of the Netherland’s took no prisoners aboard VDL Groep Kiara. The pair raced across the expansive grass arena, stopping the clock at 72.06 seconds and taking the lead from fellow countrymen Kim Emmen. Van Asten said, “My feeling was top. She has not done anything like this very often yet due to the fact that she is only 9 years old. Yesterday she jumped a 1.40m class which was very pleasant and she surprised me actually with how fast she is.” He continued, “I know that she is a naturally fast horse. She felt great and jumped amazing. I won’t take her for the Grand Prix tomorrow because I want to build her up slowly. But the fact that she did this so easily makes me happy and tells me that she can jump a 3* Grand Prix soon.”

Young gun Jeanne Sadran of France, winner of this year’s LGCT Grand Prix of Paris, flawlessly piloted Kosmo van Hof ter Boone through the course coming home clear and stopping the clock at 76.66 seconds. Dutch rider Kevin Jochems mastered the course with his mount Camilla van de Helle. They showed themselves to be a well-oiled team, coming home on a clean sheet and securing a top five finish. 

As day two drew to a close, a DJ set the mood in the Place du Concours. Friends and riders gathered for a drink to enjoy the incredible atmosphere. All eyes now turn to day three as we eagerly await to learn who will claim first victory on the final day of the Summer Showcase in Valkenswaard.

CSI2* Medium Tour 1.40m

The CSI2* Medium Tour 1.40m had an early start on the second day of Summer Festival 2. A total of 34 combinations were on the startlist and once again it was Switzerland's Nadja Peter Steiner who took first place. Her horse, 10-year-old gelding Harry KM (Hunters Scendro x Saphir von der Rossi), has a smooth canter and is capable of very short turns. He went through the course effortlessly, stopping the time at 60.65 seconds in this against the clock class. Frenchman Antoine Ermann took second place. The 22-year-old rider from Chevagny-les-Chevrières just above Mâcon crossed the finish line in 62.80 seconds with the eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding Delirium Zoetendaele Z (Diamant de Semilly x Der Senaat 111). Third place went to Irishman Jordan Coyle, who won two classes yesterday. This time he rode the 10-year-old KWPN mare Jorisca (Dantos x Larino). The combination posted a time of 64.06 seconds.

CSIYH1* Young Horse 1.30/1.35m

In the CSIYH1* Young Horse 1.30/1.35m class, it was the six-year-old gelding Nirocco (KWPN, Zirocco Blue VDL x Bubalu VDL) who came out on top with Italian Clara Pezzoli in the saddle. Their time of 61.99 seconds proved to be unbeatable by anyone. The 29-year-old rider has a lot of experience in riding young horses. She has been very successful for many years. She has been competing Nirocco internationally since early 2023. Pezzoli's time proved untouchable even for her compatriot Emanuele Gaudiano, known for his fast rounds. He had to settle for second place with the elegant grey Diacentio PS (OLD, Diaron x Baloubet du Rouet) with a time of 64.90 seconds. Dutchman Leopold van Asten came third with VDL Groep Mistral (Diamant de Semilly x Numero Uno) in a time of 66.76 seconds.

CSI1* Against the Clock with Immediate Jump Off 1.25m 

In the CSI1* Against the Clock with Immediate Jump Off 1.25m class, 19 of the 52 combinations stayed clear and 18 immediately rode their jump-off round. Britain's Poppy Deakin stopped the clock in her jump-off ride at 28.90 seconds with the 10-year-old OS mare Qlicious (Comettino Ask x Quattro B). The 17-year-old rider has already proved herself to be a strong competitor in the pony category, representing her country twice already at European Championships (2021 and 2022). Dutch Cheyenne Heijmans came second with King Kong NT (Holst, Cascavelle NT x Landgraf I) with a time of 31.26 seconds. Third place went to Iraqi Zaid Al-Nujaifi and Sildouch Z (Spartacus TN x Nelson Z). They crossed the finish line in 31.29 seconds.

CSI2* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.45m

Today’s CSI2* Grand Prix qualifier 1.45m was won by Britain's Robert Murphy and the 12-year-old KWPN mare Hulde G (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Warrant). They rode a smooth clear round in a time of 67.54 seconds. The 23-year-old rider has already had a very successful career in the ponies, juniors, and young riders. He won several bronze and silver team medals at European Championships and also an individual gold medal at the European Championships (Children, 2014) in Arezzo, Italy. He is very happy with Hulde. “It's her first show for a while since she had a little break so I am very happy how she felt today. For the rest of the weekend I am aiming for good results in the 4* as well as in the 2*. I am always trying to bring my best horses to the shows here and I am very grateful for the opportunities around here.” Egyptian-born but riding for Belgium, Abdel Saïd came second with the SF mare Arpege du Ru (Apache d'Adriers x Quat'Sous). He crossed the finish line in 69.37 seconds. Third place went to Dutchman Kevin Jochems. He stayed clear in a time of 71.14 with Prada Di Costa M (BWP, Vannan x Gitano).

CSI4* Against the Clock with Immediate Jump Off 1.45m

Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann took the top spot in the CSI4* Against the Clock with Immediate Jump Off 1.45m class riding High Level 6. The German show jumping talent posted the fastest time, stopping the clock at an impressive 34.47 seconds. Second place went to Christoph Könemann of Germany. Könemann made quick work of the course aboard Kamilla D but could not quite catch Meyer-Zimmermann. Completing the top three was Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner riding Jappeloup. The Swiss rider delivered a smooth, clear performance aboard the 10 year old stallion, claiming third. Rounding out the top five were Charlotte Leoni (FRA) riding Vivolenska and Anastasia Nielsen (MON) aboard Franco 79.

CSI1* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.35m

Dutchman Nick Steeghs won this afternoon’s qualification for the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.35m. In this against the clock class, he was by far the fastest with the 11-year-old BWP stallion Nanteuil Van T&L (Halifax van het Kluizebos x Jokinal de Bornival). He steered the strong cantering bay stallion through the course at a high pace, stopping the time at 62.66 seconds. Steeghs was happy with the result: “It felt really good. It's great here in Valkenswaard and then it's always nice to win.” Iñigo Lopez De La Franco (MON) needed almost three seconds longer with the eight-year-old Zangersheide mare Desiree E Z (Dominator 2000 Z x Upsilon van de Heffinck). The combination concluded their ride in 6548 seconds. Third place went to Belgian rider Giel Vangeebergen and Incredible (KWPN, Nassau x Phin Phin) with a time of 67.30 seconds.