Release date: 21/05/2018

It was a busy day at Tops International Arena. It was Whit Monday and many people came to enjoy the sport. There were nine classes in total, three for the Young Horses, three CSI1* and three CSI2*.
 
CSI2*
The Small Tour was won by Britain’s Chloe Winchester and the stallion Charming Fellow Z (Zang., Clinton x Cappucino v Berkenbroek). Being third starter the 23-year-old rider from Gislingham, whose parents were both eventing riders, had set a fast time as none of the remaining 70 combinations were able to improve her time of 29.63 seconds. Patrick McEntee was close in 29.67 with April Mury Marais Z to finish runner-up. Third place went to Belgium’s Jos Verlooy with Cor-Leon vd Vlierbeek Z.
 
That last week’s good performances were no coincidence was proven by Jemma Kirk who again won the Medium Tour with Quelisto (SF, J’ai l’Espoir d’Elle x Starter). The 29-year-old British rider lives in Le Pin near Deauville where she took over the stables from Patrice Delaveau.  “I like to have rides along the seaside. It is important for the mental health of my horses.” Swiss Morgane Dassio finished second with Loro Piana Banco d’Hyrencourt followed by Tim Wilks (GBR) and Knock Out van ‘t Paradijs.

The first day was concluded with a victory for Stal Tops rider Alberto Zorzi and the SF mare Ulane de Coquerie (by L’Arc de Triomphe) in the Big Tour. The 29-year-old Italian rides for Stal Tops since April 2015 and hopes to be selected for the World Euqestrian Games in Tryon this year. In 2017 he just missed out on the medals at the European Championships in Gothenburg, he finished fourth with Cornetto  K. Britain’s Tim Wilks finished runner-up with Quelbora Merze (SF, Tarzan de Beaulieu x If de Merze) followed by Karline De Brabander and Fantomas de Muze (BWP, Sandro Boy x For Pleasure) for Belgium.
 
CSI1*
Last week they won two classes in the Small Tour and today they added a third victory: Caroline Breen and Kilmastulla Douglas (2005, ISH, Ard VDL Douglas). “I have been riding ‘Dougie’ for four year and he is a great horse. He always jumps very well in Valkenswaard because he loves it here.” Holland’s Aniek Diks finished runner-up with Hortensia-H and Carmen Edwards (GBR) and Hopscotch took third place.  

Belgium’s Jos Verlooy won the Big Tour with Karibou Horta in the afternoon. Last year the combination performed very well in seven-year-old classes, they also won in Valkenswaard. “Now we go a step further and we will see where it will take us,” according to Jos. Karibou Horta is a good jumper, but “he is also the sweetest of all,” says groom Jenny. Runner-up spot was also for Belgium: Kevin Gielen and Umbrella Brimbelles. The USA’s Catherine Pasmore finished in third with Dinant.

The Medium Tour was won by Holland’s Aniek Diks with Alieone (KWPN, Gentleman x Zuidhorn). The 28-year-old rider, who runs her stables in Vorstenbosch, stayed clear in 29.98 seconds. Runners-up were Britain’s Claire Beecroft with Vanda Cartier (KWPN, Lord Z x Rubert R). Denmarks Shannon Meintert Ketterle finished third with the KWPN mare Forever-Especial. Earlier today Shannon won the class for five-year-olds.

Full results