Harrie Smolders Delivers Another Home Victory on Day Two of the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Classic

CSI1* 

Dutch rider Thalessa de Jong was at the front of the prize giving of the 1* (1.25m) class where riders rode their jump-off immediately after their clear first round. The 28-year-old rider from Bavel in Brabant rode her KWPN mare Habrina (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Phin Phin) across the finish line in a super fast time of 28.30 seconds. Belgium's Clémentine Lux needed almost a second more to complete the jump-off course. She stopped the clock at 29.21 seconds with the seven-year-old stallion Nash (MASAF, I'm Special de Muze x Quickstar). Yesterday, this combination managed to win the 1.20m class. Third place again went to a Dutch rider: Merel Murris Schreur. She was just 0.10 seconds slower than Lux in a time of 29.31 seconds. She had for this competition the 17-year-old KWPN gelding Django Beer M (Ilmeo x Nimmerdor) with whom she also finished third yesterday.

The second competition in the beautiful sand arena of Longines Tops International Arena was an against the clock class for 1* combinations with obstacles up to 1.35m. Yesterday they finished third but today they were on top form. Dutchman Piet Raijmakers Jr was the convincing winner with a time of 59.21 seconds. He did so with Qrazy van 't Landouwehof, a nine-year-old son of Cornet Obolensky. American Madison Wu, only 13-year-old, was second with the 12-year-old KWPN stallion Impian D (VDL Bubalu x Lux Z Z). The duo crossed the finishing line in 61.23 seconds. Third was Dutch rider Loewie Joppen from Maasbree who recorded a time of 61.43 seconds with Osiris FZ (MASAF, Dallas x Acodetto).

There were 21 combinations competing in the 1* against the clock class (1.15m). Twelve-year-old Thai Apinyapat Jirasuwannakul, who finished third yesterday, stepped it up today, riding her horse Marco R (KWPN, Entertainer x VDL Douglas) across the finishing line in 58.38 seconds. Yesterday's winner had to settle for second and third place today. She came second with the Zangersheide mare Caprice K Z (Scuderia 1918 Casago) in a time of 58.52 and she reached third with Larizona (KWPN, Eldorado vd Zeshoek TN x Labor's VDL Indorado). They realised a time of 64.32 seconds.

CSI2*

The 2* combinations were the last to start in the sand arena on this second sunny day of the Summer Classic at the Longines Tops International Arena. 60 horses were entered for this Medium Tour against the clock class (1.40m). Only two riders managed to go clear under 60 seconds: Irishman Michael Duffy and Dutchman Kevin Jochems. The 30-year-old Duffy, who is based in England, was slightly faster with his 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion Dublin (Cascadello x Balou du Rouet) with a time of 55.86 seconds. Jochems, who has been selected as a reserve for the Dutch jumping team for the European Championships next week, recorded a time of 56.22 seconds for second place with Looks Good de Liebri Z (Zang, Lector van den Bisschop x Bentley van de Heffinck). Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi (UAE) captured third place with Dark Chocolate 50 (Holst, Diamar x Landos). They recorded a time of 60.30 seconds.

The closing of the second day of the Summer Classic offered excitement and top-class sport. The 2* Big Tour against the clock class saw 65 horses compete for victory in the arena. Course designer had built a challenging course where the time allowed was one of the sharp judges. However, Germany's Kendra Claricia Brinkop had no problem with that and went through the course at an incredible pace. The 30-year-old Stephex Stables rider rode smoothly over the obstacles with 13-year-old BWP mare Ma Belle (Ugano Sitte x Bayard d'Elle) and stopped the clock at 66.89 seconds. Mexican Jaime Azcarraga came last in the arena and managed to come very close to Brinkop's time, but it was just not enough. Azcarraga, who competed four times in the Olympics, stayed clear in 67.10 seconds with the 12-year-old stallion Baileys Vom Ilum (CH, Baie de Villeclare x Calaska de Semilly). His compatriot Enrique Gonzalez came third with Kolinda SL (KWPN, Arezzo VDL x Voltaire). Places four and five went to the Dutch: Maikel van der Vleuten with Liverma Keizersberg and Jur Vrieling with Helwell du Chabus.

CSIYH

The young horse class was won by Germany's Kendra Claricia Brinkop. The 30-year-old, who received her training with top show jumper Marcus Ehning and now rides for Stephex Stables in Wolvertem (Belgium), rode the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding Abercrombie Pommex Z (Asca Z x Emerald van't Ruytershof) through the course in 66.63 seconds. Khaled Almobty (KSA) was second with Diamond Girl 40. The 26-year-old who represented his country at the Paris Olympics last year crossed the finish line in 66.74 seconds. Brinkop's compatriot Laura Klaphake came third with seven-year-old Silver Star van de Eedthoek (BWP, Magic Star van de Eedthoek x Dieu Merci by T&L). The 31-year-old rider, who won team bronze at the 2018 World Championships in Tryon and team gold and individual bronze at the European Young Riders Championships, recorded a time of 68.44 seconds.