Release date: 15/07/2019

There was something for everyone: young horses, veterans and lots of future talent. In total nine competitions were staged.
 
Young Horses
The seven-year-olds kicked off the Young Horses division. The 30-year-old British rider Laura Mantel and her mare Muna van Bisschop (BWP, Cornet Obolensky x Nabab de Rêve) was last to go and snatched the victory from Piet Raijmakers Jr. Laura is running her own stables and rides horses for several owners, among them Sally Jobson-Scott, Muna’s owner. It was Laura’s first start ever at Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard and she thinks “it is amazing! And I am so crazy about this mare, she is so eager to work for you.” Muna won the final for five-year-olds in Valkenswaard in 2017.
Thus Piet Raijmakers Jr had to settle for runner-up with the mare Olaya Z (ZANG, Ogano Sitte x Concorde). Ireland’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy finished in third place with Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH, Z Wellie 72 x Luidam).
The 22-year-old Andres Vereecke (BEL) took the winner’s purse in the class for six-year-olds with his BWP mare Noyelle v. Begijnakker (Kannan x Palestro v. Begijnakker). “She is very fast by nature and I was able to make short turns to take this victory.” Vereecke trained the mare himself and runs a stable together with his father Koen. His father is also his tainer and the most important thing his father tought him is “that I must be patient and that I have to treat my horses with respect.” Britain’s Jake Hunter finished runner-up with Liscarrow Neptune (ISH, Pacino x Cruising) followed by Ireland’s Conan Wright with Indigo (KWPN, Cascadello x Verdi TN).
The British rider already won the class for seven-year-olds in the morning and this afternoon she repeated that performance. This time Laura Mantel rode the mare Aurora (Typhoon S x For Pleasure). Runners-up were Poland’s Lukasz Appel and the KWPN stallion Jackpot B (Flamenco de Semilly x Big Star) with Laura Renwick taking third place with Cottee (Asterix E Z x Couleur Rubin).
Last class of today was the competition for eight-year-olds in the main arena. The ISH mare HHS Fortune (Catoki x Ard VDL Douglas) was the fastest in this two phases course with fences up to 1.40m. The mare was ridden to victory by Ireland’s Michael Pender, who recently became the youngest winner ever of the Hickstead Derby. Runners-up were Britain’s Laurra Renwick with Gangsters Paradise (KWPN, Boss x Campbell VDL). Third place went to a former winner, Landiamo S, with Ivan Dalton. The BWP stallion won the final for seven-year-olds last year.
 
CSI2*
The 2* combinations had the honour to open the fourth event, the Longines Global Future Champions, at 8 am. There were two classes scheduled for today, a 1.35m and a 1.40/145m competition. The 1.35m (two phases) was won by Alexander Housen with the BWP mare Esprit van de Wellington (Orlando x Gratianus). The Belgian combination feels at home at Tops International Arena. They also won a class in May and in 2018 they won no less than five competitions. Compatriot Boris Mauroy finished runner-up with Caruso de la Pomme (SBS, Bamako de Muze x Vigo d’Arsouilles). They needed almost a second more to finish the course. Dutch rider Thom van Dijck finished third with the KWPN gelding Don Diablo (Vaillant x Burggraaf).
Just a few hours later Holland’s Aniek Diks won the 1.40/1.45m class with the KWPN stallion Winston Jumper R (Cantos x Concorde). The AES approved stallion stayed clear in 34.77 seconds. Andres Vereecke finished runner-up with Igor van de Wittemoere (BWP, Cooper v. Heffinck x Orlando) followed by Teddy van de Rijt with Itcho van ’t Ruytershof (BWP, Lord Z x Cartani) in third.
 
CSIV
Last year they joined the Longines Global Future Champions for the first time and they liked it so much that they again travelled to Valkenswaard: the members of the AJA (International Association of Jumping Riding Ambassadors). The Small Tour was won by Germany’s Bernward Engelke and Quizduell. The 66-year-old Engelke rides for 50 years and since he turned 50 he is a member of the AJA. He has competed at many other well-known and legendary events such as Hickstead and La Baule. In addition he is a course designer at 3* level. He passed his exames long time ago together with well-known international course designer Frank Rothenberger.
The Medium Tour was won by Ireland’s Carol Gee with Fernhill Splash. Gee travelled to Valkenswaard from Zuidwolde after her stepdaughter Kate Derwin won the European Juniors title on Sunday.
Victory in the Large Tour went to Belgian Luc Vandermeersch and Forever van ’t Hofken. He started riding at the age of six, but stopped when he turned 23 to focus on his career with Ten Cate. Finally he went to work abroad as CEO of Ten Cate. When he returned he started riding again: “It is my passion.” Forever is a great horse according to Vandermeersch: “He always helps me, he has a great heart and is dynamic and that suits my character. I am very cal mand that makes us a good team.”