Barcha Edges Thriller to Top CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier at Longines Tops International Arena

The battle for Sunday's CSI4* Grand Prix intensified on day two of the Summer Showcase at Longines Tops International Arena as a world-class field tackled the CSI4* 1.50m Against the Clock qualifier. With qualification and valuable confidence on the line, riders were forced to strike the perfect balance between speed and precision in a fiercely competitive contest.

It was Brazil's Stephan de Freitas Barcha who emerged victorious after producing a lightning-fast round aboard the experienced Dinozo Imperio Egipcio. Stopping the clock in 67.69 seconds, the pair held off an inspired late challenge to secure the top spot by the narrowest of margins.

Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts came agonisingly close to victory with the promising nine-year-old Rolex ter Leydonck, finishing just 0.04 seconds behind in 67.73 seconds to claim second place after another polished performance. France's Simon Delestre, continuing his return to top-level competition, guided Gatsby du Tillard into third with another stylish clear round in 69.47 seconds. Just one tenth further back, Germany's Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo continued their excellent form to finish fourth.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Alrajhi delivered another consistent international performance aboard Lorenzo ES to take fifth, while home favourite Sanne Thijssen rounded out the top six with Os le Petit Cheval, much to the delight of the Dutch spectators. The depth of the class was underlined by a host of world-class combinations producing faultless rounds, with tiny margins separating much of the leaderboard as riders fine-tuned their preparations for the weekend's feature Grand Prix.

With qualification complete and confidence building, attention now turns to Sunday's CSI4* Grand Prix, where many of today's leading combinations will look to convert their impressive form into the biggest victory of the week at Longines Tops International Arena.

CSI2* Big Tour -  Karl Cook Dominates Big Tour

The CSI2* 1.45m Big Tour at the Longines Tops International Arena delivered high-class sport, with Karl Cook snatching victory in the closing stages of a thrilling speed class. The standard was exceptionally high across a massive field of 73 starters, resulting in no fewer than 26 clear rounds. However, the best was saved for last. As one of the final combinations to enter the arena, 35-year-old American star Karl Cook produced a masterclass aboard the 11-year-old SWB mare Candy (Coventry x King Louie). Crossing the timers in an untouchable 56.27 seconds.

Second place went to Brazil's Stephan de Freitas Barcha, who continued his good form following his recent Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win in Monaco. Riding the 17-year-old BH gelding Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio, he stopped the clock in 58.23 seconds. Germany's Sophie Hinners rounded off the top three with SMA Disney (Diaron x Nintender) in 59.90 seconds. Sanne Thijssen led the home contingent once again. Riding the OS mare Confidance (Conthargos x Armitage), the Dutch rider delivered a smooth clear in 60.80 seconds to secure a strong fourth-place finish.

CSI2* Medium Tour - Koen Vereecke Takes Thrilling Opener at Longines Tops International Arena

Saturday’s action at the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase kicked off in high-octane style. In the opening class of the day in the sand arena - a CSI2* 1.40m competition with an immediate jump-off - Belgium’s Koen Vereecke emerged victorious after a fiercely contested battle against the clock.

The immediate jump-off format kept spectators on the edge of their seats, as every horse-and-rider combination that produced a clear first round went straight into their jump-off effort. A quality field of 45 starters turned out, including world top-10 riders Gilles Thomas (world #6) and Nina Mallevaey (world #7).

The standard was exceptionally high, with 26 combinations navigating the first round clear. In the jump-off, 16 riders backed up their initial clear with a second faultless round, leaving the final standings separated by the narrowest of margins. Entering as the 19th combination to go, Koen Vereecke set a blistering pace aboard the 12-year-old BWP mare Oilily de Muze (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Ramiro Z). Crossing the timers in a lightning-fast 32.87 seconds, the Belgian set a benchmark that remained untouched until the very end.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) mounted a strong challenge late in the class as the 35th starter riding the 8-year-old stallion DSP Oganero P (Ogano Sitte x Lyjanero), ultimately securing second place with a time of 33.97 seconds. Austria's Max Kühner held the lead early on after going 4th in the order with Commissar Pezi (Commissario x Böckmann’s Lord Pezi), a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding successfully campaigned by Switzerland's Martin Fuchs until last year. Kühner earned third place with a time of 33.99 seconds.

The home crowd had plenty to cheer about thanks to Maikel van der Vleuten, who posted the best Dutch result of the class. Aboard the KWPN mare Nisther K (Comthago VDL x Twisther), he delivered a smooth double-clear in 34.50 seconds to seal a strong fifth-place finish.

CSI2* Small Tour - Henk van de Pol Dominates CSI2* Small Tour with Fast Victory

Dutch veteran Henk van de Pol delivered a masterclass performance to claim victory in the CSI2* Small Tour (1.35m immediate jump-off), putting on a speed display that proved unreachable for the rest of the field.

Out of 23 starters, 10 combinations produced clear rounds in the initial course to earn a direct spot in the jump-off. Entering early as the fourth combination, the 59-year-old rider set a blistering pace aboard the 13-year-old BWP mare No Fathers Girl (Verde Gaio x Eldorado van de Zeshoek). Crossing the finish line in 35.48 seconds, Van de Pol added yet another win to his extensive list of international successes.

Second place went to Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Alrajhi riding the 16-year-old AES mare Kandide Chavannaise (Cicero Z van Paemel x Graf Sponeck), stopping the clock at 36.82 seconds. American rider Madison Wu took third place with the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Impian D (VDL Bubalu x Lux Z), completing a clear jump-off round in 38.27 seconds.

CSI1* 1.35m - Mexican Talent Martina Franco Stephan Claims 1* 1.35m

The opening class on the perfect grass arena at the Longines Tops International Arena went to Mexico's Martina Franco Stephan, who dominated the CSI1* 1.35m speed class.

Facing a large field of 53 starters, the 24-year-old rider guided her 12-year-old Selle Français gelding Ecuador de Beaufour (Nonstop x Diamant de Semilly) to a brilliant clear round in 58.25 seconds. Franco Stephan set a pace that proved unbeatable.

Italy's Rebecca Schiaratura secured second place aboard the 8-year-old Zangersheide mare Casalla Destiny’s Z (Casall x Heartbreaker) with a clear round in 60.10 seconds. Austria's Max Kühner rounded off the top three, steering the 8-year-old Mecklenburg mare Chagrandina PS (Chacfly PS x Grandino) clear in 60.84 seconds.

CSI1* 1.25m - Tess Carmichael Claims Speedy Victory in Immediate Jump-Off

In a competitive field of 54 horse-and-rider combinations, British rider Tess Carmichael emerged victorious in the CSI* 1.25m competition with immediate jump-off, thanks to a blisteringly fast round.

A total of 21 riders produced clear rounds in the initial course to qualify directly for the jump-off. Entering the arena early as the seventh starter, the 45-year-old Carmichael set a benchmark that no one could surpass. Riding the 17-year-old Holsteiner mare Bangle SR (by Chin Chin) - a partnership established back in March 2017 - she completed a smooth and high-speed round in 33.63 seconds.

Dutch riders put up a strong challenge for the top spots, occupying second and third place. Rosanne Janssen, coming off a victory the previous day, came agonisingly close with her 12-year-old KWPN mare Janeiro VHL. Crossing the line in 33.72 seconds, she finished a mere 0.09 seconds behind Carmichael.

Third place went to fellow Dutch contender Siebe Leemans aboard Osinaa Black. The duo stopped the clock in 34.62 seconds. It was an impressive performance by the seven-year-old KWPN mare, pointing toward a very promising career ahead.

CSI1* 1.15m - Sara Rothstein Back-to-Back Victorious

Just like yesterday, Canadian rider Sara Rothstein proved to be by far the fastest in the field in today’s 1.15m class. After celebrating her very first international 1.20m victory on Friday, she made it two in a row today.

The Dutch-born rider, who competes for Canada and runs a trading stable in Weert with her husband Joseph Rothstein, guided the 12-year-old AES gelding OS Bourgogne Rouge (Typhoon S x Diarado) across the finish line in a blistering 61.45 seconds.

Repeating yesterday's finish, second place in the 1.20m class went to Hungary’s Nóra Jázmin Nagy riding Orite 2 (KWPN, Jenssen VDL x Dakar) with a time of 65.75 seconds. American rider Dylan Clark rounded out the top three aboard Nevado de Toluca (SWB, Toulouse x Hector X), stopping the clock at 65.81 seconds.

Young Horses - Felipe Amaral and Ega van de Hoek Z Double Up with Young Horses Class Victory

Friday’s win was clearly no fluke. Brazilian rider Felipe Amaral and the seven-year-old Zangersheide mare Ega van de Hoek Z secured another impressive victory in the Young Horses Class, proving unbeatable in the speed competition.

Designed to showcase the 'champions of tomorrow', the class featured obstacles set at 1.30m for six-year-olds and 1.35m for seven-year-olds. Belgium-based Amaral guided the talented mare (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Cornet Obolensky) skillfully through the course, stopping the clock at 65.54 seconds—more than a full second faster than the runner-up.

Second place went to American rider Caelinn Leahy aboard My Secret Z, another seven-year-old Zangersheide mare (Cumano x Calvarina Z). The duo crossed the finish line in a swift 66.62 seconds.

Belgium’s Koen Vereecke rounded out the top three. Riding the six-year-old KWPN gelding with the remarkably short name ‘P’ (El Barone 111 Z x Chaman), Vereecke completed the course in 67.24 seconds to claim third place and P was therefore also the best six-year-old.