Release date: 16/05/2017

The second day many combinations showed their strength and the public saw regularly saw the same riders win as the day before.

But not in the 2* Big Tour class in the beautiful grass arena. Ireland’s top rider Bertram Allen entered the ring as 20th starter and rode the course in such a fast time that none of the 42 riders after him could better his time. Bertram had saddled the eight-year-old gelding Christy Jnr (BWP, Indoctro x Clinton I). “I bought him two years ago as a six-year-old and it is a real nice competition horse.”
Maikel van der Vleuten held up Dutch honours by finishing runner-up with Dana Blue, a nine-year-old KWPN mare by Mr. Blue. Austalia’s James Paterson-Robinson can not be stopped. Again he was in the line-up for the prizegiving. He took third place with Stakkato’s Star (Hann, Stakkato x Silvio I).

The Medium Tour (1.40m) counted 44 participants of whom 11 qualified for the jump-off. Holland’s Harrie Smolders, sixth to go, stopped the cloek at 40.41 seconds and it proved to be the best time. None of the other five combinations, among them Gert-Jan Bruggink and Luciana Diniz, managed to better his time. Harrie rode the eight-year-old gelding Monaco (Cassini II). Runners-up were Britain’s Emily Moffet and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Zagahorn (Matterhorn x Wolfgang) with 42.09 seconds. James Paterson-Robinson, who is also very successful in the young horse competition here in Valkenswaard, finished in third place (42.75) with Corneel, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Cristallo 7.

Victory in the Small Tour was also for a Dutch rider, Johnny Pals with the 11-year-old KWPN mare Briljant (Chacco Blue x Voltaire). Johnny, who rides for Black Horse Stables, has the mare under his saddle for about two weeks. The mare was formerly ridden by Amber Feijen. Johnnsy sees a lot of potential: “It is a horse with much quality, she can sometimes be a bit nervous and unpredictable, but she has all the qualities to become a Grand Prix horse.”
Second place went to Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli with Cyber Lady A (Zang, Douglas x Skippy II). Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts finished third with the eight-year-old mare Vallonia de Reville.    

CSI1*
Britain’s Alex Barr again won the Big Tour competition (1.35m), but this time not with Bettilina, but with the 10-year-old SHBGB mare Queen Bee JX (Quicksilber x Couleur Rubin). Last week they won the very same class.
Runners-up were Canada’s Jonathan Ding with Super Micke, a 10-year-old SWB stallion (Artist x Almeto Z). Oliver Lazarus, born in South-Africa but living in Roeselare (Belgium) with partner Georgie Harvey and son Luke, finished in third place with  Bagheera Blue (Oldbg, Chacco Blue x Carnute).

Israel’s Danielle Goldstein did not accept any competition in the Medium Tour (1.25m) with the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Zorado (Indorado x Elmshorn). Danielle rides at Waldman Stables, owners of Zorado. Norway’s Kristine Seierstad was runner-up with Fitty Faline (KWPN, Numero Uno x Lupicor) followed by Lauren van Berkel with Little Lancer (Westf, Lancer III x Grand Amour) for the Netherlands.
 
The Small Tour (1.15m) competition also had the same combination leading the line-up at the prizegiving ceremony. Britain’s Caroline Breen again had the fastest round with Kilmastulla Douglas (ISH by Ard VDL Douglas). Runners-up were Sara Forslin and the 13-year-old Holsteiner stallion Cabrero for Sweden. Italy’s Silvia Foppiani finished in third place with Erasure (KWPN, Quasimodo v Molendreef x Corland).

Full results