Release date: 11/07/2016

The inaugural edition of the Global Future Champion Week at the beautiful facilities of Tops International Arena  was opened by the five- and seven-year-olds on Monday morning. The competition for five-year-olds was won by Holland’s Peggy Looymans and her impressive gelding Panamera Z (Zangersheide, by Pelgrim Z). They were the fastest clear combination in the Two Phases course in 32.96 seconds. The 18-year-old Peggy was really proud of her horse. “He is a real great horse to ride, although he can be sometimes a bit naughty. I always have to pay attention,” she smiled. “But he is willing to learn and wants to fight for you. You never know what the future will bring but I have high expectations for him.”
Runners-up were America’s Julie Welles and her Hannoverian mare Vienna (by Valentino). Britain’s Holly Broad finished in third with the KWPN stallion Gentleman (by Vigaro).
 
Two winners
First place had to be shared in the class for seven-year-olds. Belgium’s Olivier Seynhaeve as well as American Bliss Heers finished their round in 34.36 seconds. Both were impressed by the course, which was quite demanding for a first day course. “I had some trouble entering the arena, but when I was in all went perfect,” said Olivier. His horse Juka Z van de Doornakkers, out of the same maternal line as Scott Brash’s Hello Santos, is very spooky. He trains this horse for seven months now and achieved a lot in only a short time. “When he starts going he is very focused and very careful. If he continues to develop at this level I expect him to easily compete in 1.45/1.50m classes. Bliss is totally in love with her mare PMH Pollyanna. “She has the heart of a lion, she does everything I ask her to do,” said Bliss. “This horse has all qualities to become a Grand Prix horse.”
Third place went to France’s Swan Bourven and the Selle Français mare Vanda Class (by Calvaro / Holst.).
 
Familiair face
Victory went to a familiair face in the competition for six-year-olds. The 26-year-old Czech rider Emma Augier De Moussac won today’s class, but she also won two classes in week 2 (16-18 May) with the same horse, Brighton Bay. Emma rides for the Czech Republic but is based in the Netherlands. Emma mainly focusses on her more experienced horses, but “this horse is a pleasure to ride,” says Emma. “He is still young, but already has a  mature character.”
Second place went to Ireland’s Harry Marshall and Follyfoot Dolce Vita DBZ. Holland’s Doron Kuipers finished in third place with Kerswin van ’t Roosakker.
 
French victory
Frenchman Max Thirouin and his mare Utopie Villelonguen (by Mylord Carthago) stood in front during the prizegiving ceremony of the eight-year-old class. Thirouin owns the mare for four years. “She is a very brave mare and very smart,” he says about the mare. “In warming-up she is a bit difficult as she does not like other horses, but in the ring she gives a 1000 per cent.”
Australia’s James Paterson Robinson finished runner-up with Daylinde followed by Piet Raijmakers Jr and Van Schijndel’s Dominus for the Netherlands in third.