Release date: 22/07/2017

The second day of the Global Future Champions started with a visit of a very special guest: the well-known British journalist, commentator, presenter and writer Clare Balding. She especially travelled to Valkenswaard to promote her latest book ‘The racehorse who wouldn’t gallop’.  A Meet&Greet was organized and Clare signed her books.
 
Victories in the main classes were devided between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Lies Malisart from Belgium won the Children’s class with her BWP gelding H&M Carlito (by Kannan). The 14-year-old had a real good feeling about her round: “Carlito is a very experienced horse and he always helps me through the course,” Lies said smilingly afterwards. She rides H&M Carlito since six months and they soon became a close team. “He is a sweet character, but if he does not want to do something it is very hard to persuade him to do it anyway.”

The U25 class (1.45/1.50m) was won by 23-year-old Noelle van der Velde from the Netherlands and her mare Quasila Fleur Z (Quasimodo x Nabab de Reve). “Our round went great from start to finish. We had a good rhythm and the course had good lines,” accourding to Noëlle. She rides the mare for four years: “She is very obedient and if you treat her well she will do anything for you.” Noelle hopes to reach the top in the sport, just like her heros Jeroen Dubbeldam and Willem Greve.

In the Juniors’ section (1.20/1.25m) victory was also for a Dutch rider, 14-year-old Nina van Enckevort and her stallion Darc du Rona Z (Diarado x Centauer Z). “He was super in the warm-up. In the ring he can be a bit strong in his mouth, but, together with my trainer, I worked on that and today he did great. He is a very careful horse and has a good character.” Nina started riding at the age of four and she has been riding Darc du Rona Z since he was a young horse.”

Max Haunhorst from Germany won the Young Riders’ main class (1.45/1.50m) with the gelding Crueger (Converter x Kolibri).  “It all went really well despite the quite heavy course,” said the 16-year-old. Max is riding Crueger since February and is being trained by his father. “The most important thing in training is get control, we therefore do a lot of dressage exercises.” He loves his horse “Crueger is very tall, 1.86m, he is a real fighter with a super character.”
 
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