Release date: 16/07/2016

Belgium’s  Pieter Clemens was the second day’s first winner at the Global Future Champions Week in Valkenswaard. He won the U25 (1.45/1.50m) competition with his mare Silberrose (by Stakkato Gold). “I really liked the course, it had nice lines and the fences are beautifully designed.” Pieter was very satisfied with Silberrose: “This horse has a super attitude.”
 
Holland’s Lisa Bongers and her mare Athina van Schuttershof had their second win in the Young Riders division (1.35/1.40m). “It is going so well and I love to ride here,” Lisa said. “So different from other competitions. Everything is close together, which is great for both riders and horses.”
 
Holland’s Kevin Jochems was in the winning mood. The stable rider of Team Piet Raijmakers won the U25 (1.35/1.40m) with Happy Feet and immediately after the prizegiving ceremony he jumped on his other horse, Flugel van ‘t Palmenhof, to win the Young Riders class (1.45/1.50m).
 
The young Belgian Gilles Nuytens proved unbeatable in the Children’s class (1.20m) with Mama Mia Picobello Z (Mr. Blue x Carthago Z). Gilles, who is trained by his grandfather said about his horse: “My mare has a super character, but can sometimes be a bit nervous.”
 
The Pony and Junior division saw some striking results. Both Maartje Verbeckmoes from Belgium and Ireland’s Harry Allen finished in first and second place in their respective classes. Maartje did it in the Juniors 1.35/1.40 class with Djetske (1st) and Cous Cous (2nd) and Harry in the Pony 1.25/1.30m class with Aughnashammer (1st) and Cassandra van het Roelhof (2nd). Afterwards Maartje said: “She is an intense horse and not for everybody to ride, but we are perfect together!”
 
The remaining Pony class, 1.05/1.10m, went to 13-year-old Gerrit Veenstra from the Netherlands and his mare Funky.  
 
Tomorrow Tops International Arena presents four Finals and six other competitions. Full schedule here.