Release date: 12/08/2018

Sunday offered several finals, for the Young Horses and for the riders in the CSI2* and 1*. There was  great sport and the crowd enthusiastically cheered their favourites. Today’s winners were from the USA, Belgium, Egypt, South-Africa, Germany and the Netherlands.
 
CSI2*
Just like yesterday (Ansgar Holtgers Jr) it was one of Eric Lamaze’s students to win a class in Valkenswaard. The American Spencer Smith won the Big Tour Final/Grand Prix, counting for the Longines Rankings, with the 11-year-old gelding Theodore Manciais (SF, Kashmir van Schuttershof x Power Light). “I feel honoured that I am able to compete here among the world’s best riders. It is fantastic to ride in that beautiful arena!” He is equally enthusiastic about his horse. “Theodore helped my to find my way. He is a great horse, doesn’t do anything craze and he will do everything for me. But I could not have achieved all of this without my trainer Eric and the support of my parents.”
Brazil’s Yuri Mansur finished runner-up in the 11-year-old BWP gelding Hunter van het Indihof (Bentley x Mr. Blue) followed by Simon Delestre from France and the eight-year-old mare Conbelleza (OS, Conthargos x Captain Paul).
Jody van Gerwen delivered the sole Dutch victory. The 26-year-old won the Medium Tour (1.40m) with the 10-year-old BWP mare Inebelle van ’t Welthof (Takashi van Berkenbroeck x Querlybet Hero). “I was so happy that I had the chance to ride here and winning makes it even more special. Inebelle did great. She has a very special character, you have to show her respect otherwise you are in trouble.”
Alexander Housen was runner-up with Ivanhoe (BWP, Flipper d’Elle x Nabab de Reve) and his compatriot Lena Leonard finished in third with Gloria van Kluizebos (BWP, Contact van de Heffinck x Fuego du Prelet).
Victory in the Small Tour was for a rider who already won two classes, Belgium’s Alexander Housen. According to Housen Esprit van de Wellington “is the fastest horse in Europe.” They won multiple classes since Alexander started to ride the mare two years ago. In addition to Esprit, Alexander rides another three horses for the same owner, Leon Spronken. “My hero is Marcus Ehning, I like his way of riding and my favourite horses in the circuit are Emerald and Don Z of Harrie Smolders.”
Holland’s Lars Kersten was runner-up with the nine-year-old BWP mare Dora de Ness (Nabab de Reve x Wolfgang). Alexander’s sister Emilia Housen, took third place with Gentleman (Oldbg, Guidam x Cambridge).
 
Young Horses
Egypt’s Abdel Saïd, who is located in Belgium, won, like Friday, the competition for Young Horses. This time it was the final for six- and seven-year-olds with fences up to 1.35m. He was the only rider to clock a time below 40 seconds with the seven-year-old gelding Axel 111 Z (Action Breaker x Chatman). Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, who managed to reach the jump-off of the LCGT Grand Prix of Valkenswaard on Saturday, finished runner-up with the six-year-old SBS gelding Ghost de Reville (President x Orlando). Current European Champion Peder Fredericson (SWE) took third place with Crusader Ice (SWB, by Cabachon).
 
CSI1* Special Invitational by Magic Moments
On Sunday morning it was Finals day for the Big Tour combinations (1.35m). Oliver Lazarus was the fastest of the 11 competitors in the jump-off with the eight-year-old mare Bibisi (by Calato Kama) in 39.25 seconds. Oliver was very happy with the result. He is only riding her for a few week and Valkenswaard was their first international outing together.
The runner-up spot was for Ireland’s Lucinda Roche and WCE Falco (ISH, Cruising x Darco). The 20-year-old rider, who represented Ireland at four European Championships, 2014, 2015, 2017 (6th individual) and 2018 (10th individual), stopped the clock at 39.58. Britain’s Tess Carmichael and her 13-year-old gelding Atlantis PP Z (Zang, Air Jordan Z x Corofino I) finished in third place.
The Medium Tour (1.25m) was won by Germany’s Vanessa Steiger-Dehner from Ludwigshafen. The 29-year-old clocked the fastest time in the seven-horse jump-off with the 12-year-old mare Loona D (Lucky Boy D x Alexis).
The USA’s Sophie Gracida, partner of Britian’s top international and current LGCT Ranking leader Ben Maher, won the Small Tour competition (1.15m) with Diamant WP Z (Zang, Diamant de Semilly x Caretino).