Fast Starts and Fierce Competition: Friday’s Winners in Valkenswaard

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard got underway on Friday with a packed programme of international show jumping at the Longines Tops International Arena. From promising young horses to experienced international combinations, riders across the CSI1*, CSI2* and Young Horse classes delivered fast rounds and close finishes throughout the opening day.

Belgium’s Guy Beyers was the first winner of the day, setting the standard in the opening Young Horses class. The 53-year-old young horse specialist produced an unbeatable round aboard six-year-old BWP gelding Upton vd Bisschop (Comme d’Api vd Haciënda Z x Bamako de Muze), stopping the clock in 33.50 seconds.

Despite a strong international field featuring names including Daniel Deusser and Thibeau Spits, Beyers’ time remained untouched. Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf came closest with seven-year-old Jumbo la Roque, finishing second in 33.65 seconds, while Germany’s Katrin Eckermann and Forfly completed the podium in 34.15 seconds.

The CSI1* action continued with victory for Britain’s Michaela Whitaker in the 1.10m Two-Phase Special. Whitaker guided 14-year-old AES mare Croft Lassina to the win in 31.04 seconds, an impressive result for a partnership that only began this summer.

Belgium’s Valerie Blommaert and Gina Z finished second in 31.57 seconds, while Whitaker added to her successful morning by also claiming third place with Jip B in 31.65 seconds.

In the 1.40m Two-Phase, Czech Olympian Anna Kellnerová took control midway through the competition and held onto the lead until the very end. Riding 12-year-old BWP mare Ofaline v/h Haneweehof (Cardento x Diamant de Semmily), Kellnerová crossed the finish line in 30.61 seconds.

Home favourite Harrie Smolders finished runner-up aboard For Chacco TN in 31.65 seconds. Belgium’s Jules Van Hoydonck and Kalleb JB Z recorded exactly the same time to secure third place.

French rider Ines Joly proved unbeatable in the CSI2* 1.35m Two-Phase, heading a large field of 52 combinations. Together with eight-year-old Selle Français mare Itoluca LS d’Aubigny (Ogrion des Champs HN x Casall), Joly raced to the finish in 27.18 seconds.

Dutch rider Henk van de Pol gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate by taking both remaining podium positions. He finished second with No Fathers Girl in 28.51 seconds before securing third aboard Evry vd Verbindingshoeve Z in 28.59 seconds.

The day concluded in the grass arena with the CSI1* 1.35m against the clock, presented by GC Store. Of the 31 combinations to start, 15 produced clear rounds, but it was Britain’s Holly Williams who emerged fastest.

The 20-year-old stopped the clock at an unbeatable 59.13 seconds aboard Funisa BH (Chintan x Chacco-Blue), a mare she has competed internationally since 2022.

Valkenswaard-based Australian Georgina Harvey Lazarus finished second with Finlandina in 59.92 seconds, rounding off a successful day for the Lazarus family following husband Oliver’s victory earlier in the programme. Belgium’s Juliette Lansen and Quelle Belle van’t Zorgvliet completed the podium in 60.16 seconds.

With five different winners across a busy opening programme, Friday delivered an exciting start to the weekend at the Longines Tops International Arena, with plenty more sport still to come in Valkenswaard.