Ansgar Holtgers Jr. Closes Day One with Victory in Thrilling CSI4* 1.50m Class at Longines Global Future Champions
August 01, 2025
It was Ansgar Holtgers Jr. who delivered a show-stopping round aboard the 10-year-old Kantibes, racing to victory with a faultless performance in 63.93 seconds. The young American rider held off a world-class field to top the leaderboard and claim the final win of the day.
Hot on his heels was Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who piloted the ever-reliable Killer Queen VDM to second place in 65.35 seconds, while fellow American Laura Kraut secured third aboard the sharp Tres Bien Z with a time of 65.48 seconds.
Jérôme Guery and Careca LS Elite finished just fractions behind in 65.51 seconds for fourth, with Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Heartbeat W taking fifth, and Gerfried Puck aboard Idiaal Special H.J. rounding out the top six.
With fierce competition already lighting up the arena on day one, the stage is set for a weekend packed with world-class sport and rising-star performances.
CSI4* 1.45m Won by Sergio Alvarez Moya
Sergio Alvarez Moya Steals the Spotlight in First CSI4* Class of the Weekend at Longines Global Future Champions
The action kicked off in style at the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell, with the first CSI4* class – a 1.45m two-phase – delivering a thrilling display of speed and precision at Longines Tops International Arena.
It was Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya who came out on top, guiding the 9-year-old grey Kannan S Touch PS to a blistering double-clear round. Clocking 26.56 seconds in the second phase, Moya set a pace none could catch, claiming victory in this competitive opener.
Just fractions behind, world number three Henrik von Eckermann and Qasirah van de Reistenhoek delivered a seamless performance to take second place in 26.71 seconds, while Italy’s Giampiero Garofalo slotted into third with the talented Mont Rose HX in 27.00 seconds.
Kevin Staut and Kannonqulan were hot on their heels with 27.02 seconds, securing fourth, followed by Jérôme Guery aboard Killer Queen in fifth, and Michael Greeve with Malito rounding out the top six.
With the level of talent on display in the opening class, the weekend’s top sport is well and truly underway.
2* 1.45m Won by Gilles Thomas
European bronze medalist Gilles Thomas (BEL), who also took home team gold, secured a win in the 2* 1.45m speed class aboard the 13-year-old Feromas van Beek Z (Zang, Fantomas de Muze x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve). The talented young rider, based at his uncle Marc Van Dijck’s Stal Nieuwenhof in Nieuwenrode, delivered a smooth and efficient round, stopping the clock at 65.55 seconds.
French rider Jeanne Sadran came close but had to settle for second place, finishing in 66.24 seconds with Funky Boy des Reves (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Cooper vd Heffinck). Her compatriot Antoine Ermann took third with Gamine d’Oscine (SF, Kannan x Dollar dela Pierre), clocking a time of 67.02 seconds. It was a tightly contested class featuring top talent, but Thomas’s sharp round gave him the edge in this competitive field.
Young Riders Won by Sultan Salem Al Naemi
Sultan Salem Al Naemi Leads the Way in Thrilling Start to Young Rider Competition at Longines Global Future Champions
The opening day of the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell set the tone for an exciting weekend of sport at the Longines Tops International Arena, with the young rider class delivering fast-paced, faultless rounds and fierce competition from start to finish.
A total of 14 combinations produced impressive double clears, but it was Sultan Salem Al Naemi of Qatar who stole the spotlight, stopping the clock in 28.20 seconds aboard the consistent Cethys de Vernay to take a commanding victory. Close behind, Germany’s Charlotte Höing piloted Caboom 3 to second place in 28.98 seconds, followed by fellow German Nick Armbruster, who secured third aboard Isodermus PP with a smooth round in 29.29 seconds.
French rider Louise Sadran and the sharp Je T’adore claimed fourth, just one-hundredth of a second off the podium in 29.30 seconds, while Kristina Klebanova of Monaco rode Fanfreluche de Rialfo Z into fifth with a stylish round in 30.46 seconds. Rounding out the top six, Hussain Alkharafi of Kuwait and GK C’est Un Rêve delivered a faultless trip in 31.00 seconds.
With so many clear rounds and a tightly packed leaderboard, the young rider division promises more thrilling moments as the weekend continues.
Juniors 1.35m Won by Lieselot Kooremans
Newly crowned European Children’s Champion Lieselot Kooremans won the Junior 1.35m speed class with Lola-Jay ES (KWPN, Golden Dream x Jumbo-Jet). The 13-year-old rider from Turnhout, Belgium—who also claimed silver with the Dutch team—delivered a beautiful round, stopping the clock at 64.66 seconds. Another successful European Championship rider, Dutch rider Yoni van Santvoort, finished second. She won team silver at this year’s Junior European Championships in Riesenbeck, Germany, with La Pleasure. Today, she competed with Mainly San Peppy (KWPN, Brantzau VDL x Carambole), a breeding product of Stal Thijssen. The pair crossed the finish line in 65.01 seconds. Haya Khalid A E Al Hitmi (QAT) placed third with Hustique (KWPN, Bustique x Moreno) in a time of 65.21 seconds.
Juniors 1.20m Won by Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei
This weekend is all about the stars of the future at the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell at Longines Tops International Arena. The first competition in the sand arena was a Two Phases for Juniors (1.20m) in which 23 talented riders competed. Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei of Qatar was by far the fastest in both phases, crossing the finish line in 23.93 seconds. The 15-year-old rode the French stallion Gamin Raye (Kannan x Cabdula du Tillard), with whom he has already scored several victories this year, including in Paris, Royan, Doha and Megeve. Second place went to Dutch rider Niels Berkvens, also 15 years old, who completed his second phase in 26.08 seconds with the KWPN mare Miss Ottawa TN (Malibu TN x Loro Piana Come On). American rider Siena Hansen came third with Elias van de Vinkhoeve Z (Zang, Echo Van't Spieveld x Clarimo) with a time of 26.30 seconds.
Children 1.20m Won by Laura Zebier
The Children’s class, a Two-Phases competition with fences up to 1.20m, was won by 12-year-old Belgian rider Laura Zébier and her 15-year-old mare La Coco 4 (OS, Lordanos x Quidam’s Rubin). A great performance by this pair, who have been competing together since the beginning of this year. They delivered a super-fast round, finishing in 28.38 seconds. It marked their first international victory as a combination. Dutch rider Emmi Schreibelt needed 2.24 seconds more to complete her second phase and took second place with Garibaldy MBF (KWPN, Quasimodo van de Molendreef x Silvio II). Third place went to European Champion Lieselot Kooremans and her championship horse Nini van HD (BWP, by I’m Special de Muze). Earlier this morning, Lieselot had already won the Junior class; she completed this round in 31.93 seconds.
Ponies Two Phase 1.10m Won by Charlene Baan
The pony class, a Two Phases 1.10m, once again delivered excitement and speed, with the enthusiasm and skill of young talent clearly on display. In a tightly contested competition, it was the Netherlands’ Charlène Baan who secured the win aboard Easter Ivy BB Z, stopping the clock at a sharp 28.15 seconds. Great Britain’s Abigail Wicks claimed a well-earned second place with Zodianne van de Doevenbree, finishing in 28.29 seconds. Fellow Dutch rider Josephine Rodenburg took third with a clear round on Sloot's Sir Thor, crossing the finish line in 30.88 seconds.
Ponies Two Phase 1.25m Won by Lieselot Kooremans
The final pony class of the day at the Longines Global Future Champions at Longines Tops International Arena once again showcased the rising stars of equestrian sport. Fresh off her title as European Champion in the Children category, Lieselot Kooremans (NED) added another win to her name. Riding Elando van de Roshoeve, she delivered the fastest double clear of the class, stopping the clock at 29.75 seconds. Elise van Regenmortel (BEL) also rode a flawless round with Troubadour Optimus, finishing in 30.23 seconds, securing a strong second place. Swiss rider Jordan Scherbakov completed the podium with Tankardstown Dreamer, delivering a double clear in 33.52 seconds. Scherbakov competed with two ponies in the class, also taking fifth place with Electra.
2* Two Phase 1.25m Won by Ali Hussai Alnowais
Ali Hussain Alnowais (UAE) was the fastest in the 2* Two-Phases competition (1.25m) with the 12-year-old BWP gelding Narcos vd Smidshoeve (Toulon x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve). The 30-year-old, who has already claimed two victories in St. Tropez (Gassin) and a win during the LGCT in Paris this year with this horse, stopped the clock at 26.46 seconds. Dutch top rider Sanne Thijssen finished in second place with the talented seven-year-old mare Cosmiq Rebelle (OS, Conthargos x Stolzenberg), crossing the finish line in 27.80 seconds. Fellow Dutch rider Thalessa de Jong came third with the 13-year-old KWPN mare Habrina (Eldorado vd Zeshoek TN x Phin-Phin), with whom she won two classes during the Summer Classic.
2* Two Phase 1.15m Won by Ali Hussai Alnowais
After winning the first Junior competition, Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei from Qatar continued his winning streak in the 2* 1.15m Two-Phases class. This time, he rode the 10-year-old SF gelding Fun d’Elle (Maloubet de Pleville x Kannan) and claimed another convincing victory with a blazing fast time of 29.00 seconds. Dutch rider Ilse Vedder from Weert, Limburg, finished second, crossing the finish line in 31.76 seconds with the seven-year-old mare Nicole (KWPN, Emir R x Quasimodo van de Molendreef). Experienced Belgian rider Gudrun Patteet secured third place with the six-year-old grey Ariadne de Raspaille Z (Zang, Alicante x Cornet Obolensky). The 40-year-old, who runs her own stable, Seacoast Stables, in Moerzeke, clocked a time of 32.74 seconds.
