| Longines Tops International Arena

Van Asten and Hotspot Strike First at Longines Global Future Champions

The Longines Global Future Champions Tour returns to the world-class Longines Tops International Arena this week, bringing together the next generation of international show jumping stars for an unforgettable week of competition. From ambitious young riders taking their first steps onto the global stage to established youth champions chasing prestigious victories, the event provides a unique platform for talent to develop in the same elite environment enjoyed by the sport's biggest names.

Across three days of competition, show jumping's brightest young athletes will compete in Pony, Children, Junior and Young Rider categories, showcasing exceptional horsemanship, determination and skill. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Longines Tops International Arena, the Longines Future Global Champions Tour offers a glimpse into the future of the sport, with many of today's rising stars destined to become tomorrow's championship contenders on the world's biggest stages.

Mathijs van Asten and the experienced Hotspotdelivered a lightning-fast performance to claim victory in the CSI4* 1.50m Against the Clock on the opening day of the Longines Global Future Champions at the Longines Tops International Arena.

First to set the benchmark among the leading contenders, the Dutch rider stopped the clock in 68.71 seconds, producing one of only a handful of combinations able to break the 70-second barrier. The result earned Van Asten the top prize and an ideal start to the weekend on home soil.

French star Simon Delestre continued his excellent recent form aboard Golden Boy DK, finishing just 0.64 seconds behind the winner in 69.35 seconds to secure second place. Close behind was Germany’s Marcus Ehning, whose typically polished round with Coolio 42crossed the line in 69.42 seconds, less than a tenth of a second adrift of Delestre.

The Netherlands enjoyed further success with Kevin Jochems guiding Quianna ter Wijnen into fourth on 71.36 seconds, while Brazil’s João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima finished fifth aboard Obama de la Liniere in 71.87 seconds. Frank Schuttert ensured three Dutch riders featured in the top six, partnering Gream to sixth place in 72.46 seconds.

With fractions of a second separating the leading combinations, the class provided an exciting opening to the Longines Global Future Champions, setting the tone for an action-packed weekend of international competition at the Longines Tops International Arena.

Van Asten smiled: “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the show. Hotspot jumped fantastic today and from the first fence I felt he was with me all the way. In a class like this you have to be fast but also keep the rhythm, and everything came together today. To start the weekend with a win at home is very special, and it gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the competition.”

CSI2* Big Tour - Ciaran Nallon Claims Impressive Victory in Huge CSI2* 1.45m Speed Class in Valkenswaard

Out of a massive starting field of 82 horse-and-rider combinations, Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon emerged victorious in the CSI2* 1.45m speed class against the clock at the Longines Tops International Arena. Partnered with the eight-year-old Holsteiner mare Little Special in Red M (I'm Special de Muze x Calido I), with whom he also celebrated a class win during the Summer Classic, the 24-year-old rider set a blistering, unbeatable time of 66.64 seconds.

Nallon’s pedigree on the international circuit is well-established. Now a rising star on the global stage, Nallon competes as a U25 rider for Riesenbeck International in the GCL this season. France’s Laura Klein captured second place aboard the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare Oh Sissi (Orlando x Calido I), crossing the line clear in 67.45 seconds. Completing a stellar podium line-up was Laura Kraut from the United States. She guided the mare Tres Bien Z (Toulon x Nabab de Reve) to a clear round in 68.25 seconds to take third place.

CSI2* Medium Tour - Vani Khosla Speeds to Victory in CSI2* Two-Phase Competition in Valkenswaard

American rider Vani Khosla claimed top honors today in the CSI2* 1.25m two-phase competition. The 34-year-old rider, who recently joined the GCL team Cairo Pharaohs, executed a seamless second phase with her 16-year-old Italian-bred veteran Moka Delle Schiave (Stakkato x Contendro), stopping the clock at an unbeatable 28.96 seconds.

Brazilian star Yuri Mansur launched a strong challenge to beat Khosla’s time. Riding the eight-year-old mare Premier Mystic Rose (BH, Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Calvaro Z), came close, finishing in 29.11 seconds to secure second place - an impressive result considering their very new partnership.

Third place went to Chile’s Maria Ignacia Del Pedregal Villalobos, who crossed the finish line in 30.03 seconds aboard the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Irish Coffee (Diamant de Semilly x Sir Shutterfly).

CSI2* Small Tour - Ilse Vedder Claims Maiden International 2* Victory in Valkenswaard

18-year-old Dutch rider Ilse Vedder secured a memorable home victory today at the Longines Tops International Arena, winning the CSI2* 1.20m Two Phases Special. The win marks a milestone achievement as her first-ever international victory at this level.

Riding her eight-year-old KWPN mare Nicole (Emir R x Quasimodo van de Molendreef), Vedder delivered a flawless performance, crossing the line in the second phase in 27.55 seconds to top the leaderboard.

France’s Louise Sadran took second place aboard the 17-year-old SF stallion Vannan (Diamant de Semilly x Kannan). Despite picking up a single time fault in phase one, Sadran executed a clean second phase in 27.68 seconds. Third place went to American rider Alexandra Crown. Fresh off winning two classes during Showcase last weekend, the 31-year-old rider picked up two time penalties in the opening phase before guiding the 14-year- mare Dorothy DH Z (Donckervoort DH x Va-Vite) to a clear second phase in 28.94 seconds.

CSIY - Belgium’s Kasper de Boeck Claims Win Young Riders Opener in Valkenswaard

The Young Riders launched their Longines Global Future Champions campaign with a challenging 1.45m speed class against the clock at the Longines Tops International Arena. 19-year-old Belgian rider Kasper de Boeck emerged victorious as the only competitor to deliver a flawless clear round aboard the 13-year-old BWP gelding Nepal S (Kannan x Toulon), stopping the clock at 72.50 seconds. De Boeck is no stranger to success in Valkenswaard, having collected numerous victories at the venue in recent years.

It was a 1-2 finish for Belgium, as Helena Beyers claimed runner-up honors aboard the eight-year-old BWP mare Sapphire van Stal Petit Breck (Elvis ter Putte x Eros Platiere). Beyers set the fastest time of the class in 66.75 seconds, but a single unlucky rail dropped her to second place. Switzerland’s Thierri Wagner completed the podium in third, crossing the line in 73.73 seconds aboard the 14-year-old DSP gelding Balou’s Bellissimo (Balou du Rouet x Lord Inci Pit).

CSIJ 1.35m - Lieselot Kooremans Claims 1st and 2nd Place in Junior 1.35m Speed Class in Valkenswaard

Fresh off winning an individual bronze medal at the European Junior Championship, Dutch rider Lieselot Kooremans delivered a masterclass performance to secure both first and second place in the CSIJ 1.35m speed class against the clock.

The 14-year-old talent, based in Turnhout (Belgium), took top honors aboard the 13-year-old mare Nini van HD (I’m Special de Muze x Elvis ter Putte) - the partner with whom she previously claimed individual gold and team silver at the 2025 European Championship for Children. The pair delivered a brilliant clear round in 64.15 seconds. Kooremans then doubled up by securing second place with Eden Jeleena Dr Z (ZANG, Elvis ter Putte x Tornedo FCS), finishing clear in 64.82 seconds. Third place was claimed by Ireland’s Arielle Allen, who crossed the timers fault-free in 66.32 seconds riding Kandice Z (ZANG, Kannan x Levisto Z).

CSIJ 1.20m - Spain’s Mar Pérez Fernández Dominates Opening of Longines Global Future Champions in Valkenswaard

Spanish talent Mar Pérez Fernández got off to a dream start at the Longines Tops International Arena today. Opening the Longines Global Future Champions, the 16-year-old junior rider convincingly claimed both first and second place in the CSIJ 1.20m two-phase special competition. This marks her fifth international victory.

Riding the 10-year-old grey gelding Guiliguili Nouvolieu (SF, Mylord Carthago x Kashmir van Schuttershof), Pérez Fernández set a lightning-fast second phase time of 28.43 seconds to take top honors. In doing so, she pushed her second entry - the stallion Carredas (Carrera VDL x Avenir) - into second place.

Host nation Netherlands also celebrated a podium finish: Marie Schalken delivered a strong performance aboard the eight-year-old mare Capellini d’SG (Comilfo Plus Z x Osmium), securing a well-deserved third place with a time of 29.60 seconds.

CSICH 1.20m - European Champion Pedro Mansur Speeds to Victory in Children’s Class in Valkenswaard

13-year-old Pedro Mansur claimed top honors in the Children’s 1.20m class against the clock (for riders aged 12 to 14) at the Longines Tops International Arena. The son of renowned Brazilian star Yuri Mansur is one of the sport's brightest young talents, having recently crowned himself European Champion in the Children category, where he also took home team silver with the Dutch team.

In Valkenswaard, Mansur was partnered with the experienced 16-year-old SF gelding Away Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Watzmann). The duo set a blistering pace, stopping the clock at an unbeatable 54.12 seconds to take the win.

Belgium’s Lizi Balancier proved to be his closest challenger. Riding the six-year-old gelding Bemol de Bielmont Z (Bilbo M&O Z x Douglas), she crossed the timers in 57.61 seconds to secure second place. Completing a strong podium representation for Belgium, Laura Zébier guided her OS mare La Coco 4 (Lordanos x Quidam’s Rubin) to a clear round in 60.07 seconds, finishing third.