Release date: 04/09/2020

The first day of the CSI2*/CSIYH1* offered great sport and many happy faces. All competitors were happy to be back competing the beautiful arenas and to measure themselves against each other.

Young Horses
The top three of the Young Horses class, a 2 Phases 1.30/1.35m, was close, but Ireland’s top rider Denis Lynch was the fastest at the end. The 44-year-old rider, who has his base in Weert, the Netherlands, finished with a clear round in 29.30 seconds with the KWPN stallion Inventa d’Or (Bella Baloubet x Heartbreaker). Belgium’s James Peeters finished runner-up with the BWP stallion Nadal Hero & DB (Kannan x Polydor) with a clear round in 29.46 seconds. Third place went to Sweden’s Charlotte Hellström and Nikita van het Geinsteinde (BWP, Elvis ter Putte x Heartbreaker).

CSI2* Small Tour: happy winners
Victory in the first competition of the day, Small Tour 1.35m, went to Belgium’s Ines van den Bosch with the NRPS gelding Zirocco (Zilverstar T x Hamar). The 28-year-old rider from Lommel was very happy with her horse’s round: “Zirocco was very good as a seen-year-old, winning multiple classes at the MET Oliva and now that he is eight he has to start proving himself and that is exactly what he did this morning! Couldn’t be more proud of him!”
It has been a while since I was here at this fantastic facility! I absolutely love it here and apparently my horses as well even though we had to ride in the rain. There is such a difference between riding in Belgium now and in the Netherlands. Here it is much more relaxed compared to riding in Belgium with all the severe restrictions etc. I am very happy that we are able to come here with the horses and I have a great time.”
Runner-up was her compatriot Wilm Vermeir with Big Lord Carthago followed by Italy’s Andrea Calabro with Que Splendor GH in third.

The second Small Tour class (1.25m) was won by France’s Jauris Tamsson and his SF mare Bobine du Plessis (Street Hassle x Quouglof Rouge). “I am so happy to have won here in Valkenswaard. It is such a perfect location, really well organised and with wonderful arenas. For me there’s no doubt, it’s one of the best shows for both the horses and riders. It is my second year here and it is a real pleasure.”
Ines van den Bosch (BEL) finished runner-up in this class with Go Go. Her father Danny had to settle for third place with Zilvano.

Medium Tour: fast Mathy Jr
Belgium’s veteran François Mathy Jr claimed victory in the Medium Tour (1.40m) with the stallion Hello Diamant (Diamant de Semilly x Stakkato). He stayed clear in both Phases in 32.77 seconds. Compatriot Wilm Vermeir again finished runner-up, this time with Gentiane de la Pomme. Brazil’s Yuri Mansur Guerios took third place with Humberto ASK.

Big Tour: Dutch victory
The  Big Tour (1.45m) was the last competition of this first day and was won by Holland’s Doron Kuipers with the KWPN gelding Gallardo (Ustinov x Ahorn). The 29-year-old is known for his speed and was a member of the Dutch team during the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2019. Doron runs his own stud in Mijnsheerenland in the Zuid-Holland province. "I think the show is very nice! I love the big arena, stables are perfect and trucks can be parked close by. My day didn’t start so well so I m super happy with my victory. This day finishes on a good note. My horse is still quite green on this level and he starts to develop very well, all credits for him today!"
The runner-up spot was for Yuri Mansur Guerios (BRA) and Ibelle ASK followed by Sanne Thijssen with No Fear vd Tichelrij Z for the Netherlands.