Sensational Start for Springsteen at Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival 3

Longines Tops International came alive today with the kick off of Summer Festival 3, with the final event in the spectacular grass arena, the 4* 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier, won by Jessica Springsteen aboard Hungry Heart.

Nestled amidst the scenic township of Valkenswaard, the Longines Tops International Arena has been transformed into a hub of entertainment, excitement and sporting prowess. Eager spectators, renowned riders, and extraordinary horses from all corners of the globe have converged here, setting the stage for an unforgettable display of equestrian excellence.

As the Summer Festival enters its next phase, the excitement continues to build, promising an enticing lineup of events and competitions. Over the coming days, spectators can expect to witness impressive displays of horsemanship, where riders and horses will push the boundaries of athleticism and finesse.

With the Summer Festival 3 offering classes from 0.30m National Classes for the future generation of show jumping stars, through to the heart-pounding 4* Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, coupled with an exciting entertainment program, the entire family has been catered for.

With the 4* Grand Prix Qualifier the highlight class of the Grass Arena today at Summer Festival 3, horse and rider combinations were challenged by a 1.50m course, facing fourteen jumping efforts over a 520m track.

Taking the win aboard 11 year old Hungry Heart, Jessica Springsteen [USA], set the stopwatch on fire with a blistering round of 63.37 seconds, a whole 3.34 seconds ahead of second place. Bryan Balsiger [SUI] and Chelsea Z finished in second with a time of 66.71 seconds, and the top three were rounded out by the young star Sanne Thijssen [NED] and Con Quidam RB.

An unfortunate rail fell at the second to last fence for Robert Murphy [GBR] with Imbeer who would have ultimately finished in second place with a time of 64.33 seconds after a well executed quick and tight round. The top ten was made up of cross continental horse and rider combinations, with the likes of Jamie Kermond [AUS] and Yandoo Oaks Constellation, Ioli Mytilineou [GRE] aboard La Perla vd Heffinck, Nicolas Pizarro [MEX] with Mentor also in the money.

Tomorrow the action kicks off at 8am, with all sport live streamed across GCTV – tune in live!

Sports Report - CSI2* 

The first class (1.45m) for the 2* combinations was also the most important of the day, the qualifier for the Grand Prix on Sunday. The competition had 48 riders and 20 managed to stay double clear. Of those 20, Irishman Tom Wachman was the very fastest with the 10-year-old KWPN mare I'm Here. He crossed the finish line in 26.34 seconds. The 18-year-old Wachman is an up-and-coming talent who won a team gold medal and individual silver at this year's European Championships for Young Riders. A name to be reckoned with. Second place went to the in-form Siebe Leemans with Kobalt. Dutchman Leopold van Asten finished third with his Oldenburg mare VDL Groep Miss Untouchable.

Dutchman Siebe Leemans seems unstoppable. After winning a competition in the 1* event today, he also managed to win the 2* Two Phases (1.40m). And this victory was not enough for him, as he also took second place. Leemans had to set a time as the first starter and he did so with great success. Out of 44 combinations, nobody managed to improve this time. The individual bronze medal winner of the 2021 European Pony Championships rode a perfect round with the nine-year-old SF stallion Estoril du Cedre in a time of 36.22 seconds. He was second with the eight-year-old KWPN mare Karamella with a time 37.22. Belgian Koen Vereecke came third with Perle d'Or van de Gaverstede.

Sports Report - CSI1*

At this third Summer Event, Dutch rider Siebe Leemans continued his good form from Summer Event 2 by winning the opening class, a qualifier for the 1* Grand Prix on Sunday, on the first day. The 17-year-old from Oost, West and Middelbeers rode the eight-year-old Zangersheide stallion Gem vd Riloo Z across the finish line in 29.73 seconds. This combination won this same Two-Phases competition with obstacles up to 1.35m a fortnight ago. Third place also went to Leemans. With Plopsa Blue Z, he stopped the clock at 30.96 seconds. Second place went to Frenchman Antoine Ermann. The 21-year-old, who has represented France several times at European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders, realised a time of 30.28 seconds with Etna Kervec.

Immediately after the 1.35m combinations, the 1.20m riders came into action in the beautiful sand arena. Jordy Oostvogels from Aartselaar, Belgium, was the fastest in this competition. As the 25th starter in a field of 75 combinations, he set a time of 34.74 seconds with Darline Z. No other rider after him managed to improve on this time. Only 16-year-old Turkish rider Duru Ersoy managed to come close but had to settle for second place with the BWP gelding Natil. They stopped the clock at 35.32 seconds. Belgian Patrick Jonkmans came third with the six-year-old mare Vedette van het Langwater Z.

The 1.10m competition was convincingly won by Britain's Alice Crowley. The 16-year-old, who won a class in Valkenswaard last year with her pony Access Bill, went through the course at high speed with her 12-year-old mare Bridge Town. They stopped the clock at 27.34 seconds. Dutchman Niels Berkvens made another serious attempt but needed almost 3 seconds longer with the KWPN mare Miss Ottawa TN: 30.12. Poland's Aleksandra Lusina-Golas came third with Dakota Z.

Sports Report - Young Horses 

The Young Horses class is always a competition everyone looks forward to. The champions of the future come to the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard to get used to the grand international entourage and gain the necessary experience. Today they were presented with a Two-Phases course with obstacles up to 1.30m for the six-year-olds and 1.35m for the seven-year-olds. The best this morning was the seven-year-old Zangersheide stallion Freeman Heureka Z with Belgium's Melanie Gelin. The stallion, bred by Luc and Henry Remijnse, was by far the fastest with a time of 30.90 seconds. "No better way to start this wonderful competition," said a happy Gelin. Second place went to Irish rider Gavin Harley and the SF gelding Glamour du Chanu . Harley, who won team gold at the 2016 European Championships for Young Riders, crossed the finish line in 32.79 seconds. Dutchman Lars Kersten finished in third place with Luka-Cara.

In the class for five-year-old horses, five combinations stayed clear: Teddy van de Rijt (NED) and If I Can la Meije, Iris Looymans (NED) and Coachella Z, Christian Svengaard (DEN) and Capitano d'Augustijn Z, Britt Martens (BEL) and Andrea van het Langwater Z and Filippo Marco Bologni (ITA) with Manzana d'Alphi. They shared first place.