Release date: 11/08/2019

The last day at Tops International Arena had three finales scheduled: one for the CSI1* Big Tour, the CSI2* Big Tour and for the Young Horses.
The six-horse jump-off of the first final (1*, 1.35m), was convincingly won by France’s Maelle Martin with the 11-year-old SF mare Utha du Priel (Ogrion des Champs x Type d’Elle). A hat trick as she also won the same class on Friday and Saturday. Maelle was very happy: “It is very special to win both qualifications and the final. Utha has done a great job!” Runner-up was Ireland’s Lucinda Roche with her mare Izar LB (Crazyhorse of Coco x Damoiseau). Holland’s Caroline Manders finished third with the KWPN gelding Avanti D (Padinus x Concorde).
 
26-year-old Belgian top rider Nicola Philippaerts won the 2* Big Tour Final with the nine-year-old KWPN mare Fubertha (Nabab de Rêve x Burggraaf). His brother Thibault rode the mare to victory during the Longines Global Future Champions at Tops International Arena in July. "The mare has not much experience yet, but she has much blood and power. I won the class in the last long line, she  has a very good canter,” said Nicola afterwards. Germany’s Sophie Hinners finished runner-up with the Hanoverian gelding Vittorio (Valentino DDH x Ramiro’s Bube). The father of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard, Maikel van der Vleuten, finished third. Eric rode the BWP mare Kamara van ‘t Heike (Epleaser van ‘t Heike x Carthago).
 
The Final for six- and seven-year-old horses was won by Holland’s Mathijs van Asten and his talented KWPN stallion Hotspot (Hors la Loi II). The seven-year-old stallion is owned by Joop van Uytert and Joop Aaldering and was trained by Mathijs from the start. “He is a great horse, very flexible, very careful, a real modern horse. He can be very playfull as well, but in a pleasant way. This is really a horse for the future, he has all the qualities,” said Mathijs. “These competitions are very good for his development,” he continued, “and it was great that his owners and my sponsor Wim van der Leegte (VDL Groep) were here today.”  Belgium’s Alexander Liefsoens and Eluna CL Z (ZANG, Emerald van ‘t Ruytershof x Nabab de Rêve) finished runners-up followed by the USA’s Spencer Smith who repeated yesterday’s result with Candar Mail (SF, Lando  x Fergar Mail).
 
We can look back on a great event with exciting sport, great winners and an enthusiastic audience and we are looking forward to the next season. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest developments.
 
See you next year!