Menezes Edges Jochems in Thrilling Five-Star Valkenswaard Victory

Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes delivered a blistering jump-off aboard H5 Messentus PS to claim victory in Saturday’s CSI5* 1.50m class, sponsored by Roelofsen Horse Trucks, at the Longines Tops International Arena.

Nine combinations progressed to the jump-off, setting up a high-speed battle where every fraction of a second counted.

Ireland’s Mark McAuley set the early standard with Rossi vd Heffinck, producing a clear round in 39.68 seconds. But the pace increased dramatically when Dutch rider Kevin Jochems entered aboard Casquetto van de Helle. Attacking the shortened course, Jochems stopped the clock in 37.71 seconds to take the lead.

Menezes was next to raise the bar.

Riding 13-year-old H5 Messentus PS, the Brazilian matched Jochems for precision while finding just enough time around the turns to cross the finish in 37.43 seconds — only 0.28 seconds faster than the Dutchman.

The remaining combinations tried to respond, but Menezes’ time proved unbeatable.

Jochems and Casquetto van de Helle finished a close second, while McAuley and Rossi vd Heffinck completed the podium. Germany’s Sandra Auffarth took fourth with Comcador OLD, ahead of Italy’s Clara Pezzoli and Hadewyn van’t Ravennest in fifth.

“To have my horses performing like they are in this beautiful grass arena is something special,” said Menezes. “It takes a lot of hard work behind wins like this, and I couldn’t be more thankful to the team behind me.”

The victory provided the perfect confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard, where Menezes and many of the sport’s biggest names returned to the grass arena for the headline individual class of the weekend.