Release date: 21/07/2017

Today the talents of tomorrow had their first competitions in the arenas of Tops International Arena. The young generation riders from Belgium were very successvul and won five out of the 11 competitions.
 
Young Riders
First class was the Young Riders competition, 1.45m, which was won by Holland’s Teddy van de Rijt and her gelding Itcho van ‘t Ruytershof (BWP, Lord Z x Cartani). The 20-year-old rider was very satisfied with her round: “I agreed with my trainers to jump a smooth and controlled round and it all worked out. Itcho is very careful and we gave the time to develop. He can be very playful, but he always focuses for 110%.” Teddy is trained by Albert Voorn and American Joan Laarakkers-Scharffenberger.
The Young Rider 1.35m class was won by Belgium’s Simon Morssinkhof with Notre Star Z.
 
Children
Anthony Philippaerts won the Children’s class (1.20m) with his BWP mare Happy Feet Max (Darco x Quintus) for Belgium. The 14-year-old Anthony planned to ride a fast round with short turns: “And it worked out,” he said afterwards. It is their second competition together. “She is a super horse, great to ride, much blood and very fast.” Anthony is trained by André Frans and during important competitions his father, well-known former international Ludo Philippaerts, helps out too.
 
Juniors
Marthe Heudens secured the third win for Belgium with her mare Best Mix Evana (Querlybet Hero x Major de la Cour) by winning the 1.35m class. Marthe was very happy with her victory: “I especially liked to win her, it is such a great event.” She rode two horses in this class and she finished fifth with Best Mix Elien. The 17-year-old Marthe is riding for three years now and two with Best Mix Evana. “She is a very sensitive horse, but is a real fighter.”
Holland’s Vincent Dings won the other Junior class (1.20m) with the KWPN mare Erosa.
 
U25
In the U25 (1.45m) it was another Belgian rider in fron: Gilles Thomas with the Holsteiner mare Conaro (Con Capitol x Quinar Ras). Gilles was happy he could compete in Valkenswaard as it was the last possibility to prepare for the European Championships in Samorin in Slovakia. He has been selected for the EC with two horses and he will make a decision which horse he will take to Samorin after the Global Future Champions event.  He is riding Conaro for seven years and he made his international debut with her. “She is a great horse, very smart and we are a close team,” Gilles says.
The 1.35m class was won by American Coco Fath and the KWPN gelding Huckleberry.
 
Ponies
Skye Morssinkhof and her gelding Unbelievable convincingly won the 1.25m class. Skye liked the course: “It was not too heavy,” she said. Skye’s pony is really fast and “he is a silly and funny pony, he often escapes from his stable, but he always tries his best for me. I am really happy with this win. I occasionally train with Christian Ahlmann and that is a great help.”

Full results