Gilles Thomas Clinches Lightning-Fast CSI4* 1.50m Win as Riders Build Toward Grand Prix Finale
August 02, 2025Day two of the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell delivered another adrenaline-charged CSI4* 1.50m Against the Clock, with riders from around the world going head-to-head in a class defined by tight times and narrow margins. Less than 1.5 seconds separated the top three finishers, making it one of the most hotly contested classes of the weekend so far.
Belgium’s Gilles Thomas emerged victorious with Chuck Marienshof Z, a striking grey gelding by Colestus out of an Emerald mare. Their faultless and fluid round in 72.00 seconds proved just fast enough to edge out a world-class field, earning Thomas his first major win of the weekend.
In a close second, Harrie Smolders (NED) and Devino vd Weretherbach Z - a 9-year-old by De Flor 111 Z—delivered a brilliant clear in 72.25 seconds, while Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and the Baloubet du Rouet mare Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre claimed third in 72.72 seconds, just 0.47 seconds off the lead.
Daniel Deusser (GER) and his seasoned star Killer Queen VDM, by Eldorado vd Zeshoek and out of a For Pleasure dam, finished fourth in 73.49, building solid momentum ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix. Michael Greeve (NED) with Malito—by Malito de Rêves out of a Heartbreaker dam—took fifth in 75.01, while Chile’s Jorge Matte Capdevila rounded out the top six with Equine America It’s Me des Saules, finishing in 78.27.
With powerhouse sires like Baloubet du Rouet, Emerald, For Pleasure, and Heartbreaker represented in today’s field, the quality on display was world-class from start to finish.
As the CSI4* Grand Prix looms tomorrow, these riders have laid down their markers - setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive finale to an unforgettable weekend of top sport at Longines Tops International Arena.
Young Rider 1.45m won by Anni Hjerpe
The Young Rider 1.45m Against the Clock class on day two of the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell demanded precision, speed, and nerves of steel. With only six clear rounds from the international field, it was a test of both bravery and control - setting the tone for the final day ahead.
Finland’s Anni Hjerpe emerged as the standout performer, piloting the experienced Callboy - a 13-year-old NRPS gelding by Caleandro out of a Metropole mare - to a flawless and fast clear in 70.47 seconds. The combination’s smooth rhythm and confident turns made them untouchable in a class where every second counted.
In second was Germany’s Theresa Kröninger with Hummer-N, a Quasimodo Z gelding, who produced a steady clear in 74.48 seconds, while Hussain Alkharafi (KUW) rode GK C’est Un Rêve - a 9-year-old by Comme Il Faut - to a strong third-place finish in 75.42 seconds.
Monaco’s Kristina Klebanova took fourth with the Diarado mare Diamanda 4, followed by Mathilda Hansson (SWE) and Dyneine de Lilau in fifth. Rounding out the top six was Belgium’s Jef Peeters, who guided Olina van ’t Ruytershof - by Jenson van ’t Meulenhof out of a For Pleasure mare - to a stylish clear in 76.36 seconds.
With the field now gearing up for Sunday’s final tests, these six clear rounds stand as a marker of consistency in an otherwise tricky class. As the pressure mounts and the stakes rise, expect more fireworks from this talented group of young riders.
2* 1.30m Won by Piet Raijmakers Jr.
The CSI2* competition on the second day of the Longines Global Future Champions delivered a thrilling and high-paced class for both riders and spectators. A total of 59 combinations came forward, and the level of performance was impressive: 41 riders jumped clear in the first round and immediately continued into the jump-off. Of those, 34 combinations also managed to jump fault-free in the jump-off, making time the deciding factor.
The win went to Dutch rider Piet Raijmakers Jr., who stopped the clock at 26.73 seconds aboard his 13-year-old Zangersheide mare Van Schijndel’s Olaya Z (by Ogano Sitte x Concorde). The 42-year-old from Asten has had a long and successful partnership with the bay mare. Ali Hussain Alnowais of the United Arab Emirates took second place with his 12-year-old BWP gelding Narcos van de Smidshoeve (by Toulon x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve), finishing in a time of 28.08 seconds.
Third place went to Georgina Harvey Lazarus from Australia, who now resides in Valkenswaard. Riding the 14-year-old Selle Français mare Butterfly Ennemmel (by Quaprice Bois Margot x Lux Z Z), she delivered a fast, clear round in 28.69 seconds. The mare was previously competed by her husband, South African international rider Oliver Lazarus.
Juniors 1.20m Won by Amer H Alshatti
On the second day of the Longines Global Future Champions at the prestigious Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, the action began with an exciting 1.20m class for Juniors, held in the beautiful grass arena. The competition followed an immediate jump-off format, meaning that riders who completed a clear first round had to immediately continue into the shortened course.
Five combinations managed to deliver double clear rounds. The win went to 18-year-old Amer H Alshatti from Kuwait riding his 8-year-old Selle Français gelding Horizon du Galopin (Ogrion de Champs HN x Tic Tac d’Elle). With a smooth and fast jump-off round, he secured victory in 33.51 seconds. Hot on his heels was Mohammed Jassim A J Al Thani, 17, representing Qatar, who took second place with the 13-year-old mare Cattleya Plassay (Ogano Sitte x Ideal de la Loge) in a time of 33.55 seconds. Third place went to Ruby Payne from Great Britain, just 15 years old, riding the 11-year-old KWPN stallion Jadraque P (I'm Special de Muze x Voltaire). They also finished fault-free, crossing the line in 35.08 seconds.
Ruby had already made her mark in 2023, earning a team bronze medal at the European Championships for Children. The best Dutch performance came from Joelle Muijres, who claimed a fourth place with Kobalt Expres WS..
Children 1.20m Won by Laura Bézier
In the 1.20m Children class against the clock, a familiar name once again topped the leaderboard: Laura Bézier of Belgium claimed back-to-back victories, repeating her win from the previous day. A total of 16 combinations competed, with 11 of them jumping clear in this smoothly set course.
Twelve-year-old Bézier, making her debut appearance in Valkenswaard this weekend, guided her experienced 15-year-old mare La Coco 4 (OS, Lordanos x Quidam’s Rubin) to victory in a fast time of 58.78 seconds. With this second win, the young Belgian rider is making an immediate and strong impression at her first outing at this prestigious venue. Second place went to the Netherlands’ Lieselot Kooremans, the reigning European Champion in the Children category. The 13-year-old delivered a sharp and clean round in 60.38 seconds aboard the BWP gelding Nini van HD (I’m Special de Muze). Kooremans has been competing in Valkenswaard since 2023 and continues to impress with her consistency and poise. Third place was claimed by another Valkenswaard first-timer: 13-year-old Mhya Wilson Mille from France. She rode a faultless round with the 15-year-old Selle Français mare A La Miss de Busseol (Norway de la Lande x Subis), finishing in 61.45 seconds.
Ponies 1.15m Won by Abigail Wicks
The day in the atmospheric sand arena at the Longines Global Future Champions came to a close with three pony classes, giving young riders the chance to showcase their talent over varying heights: a 1.10m and 1.15m with immediate jump-off, and a 1.25m class against the clock. In the 1.10m class, victory went to Great Britain’s Abigail Wicks, who delivered a fast and faultless jump-off with her pony Zodianne van Doevenbree, crossing the line in 37.56 seconds. The pair impressed with both speed and precision in a well-contested field.
The 1.15m class was claimed by Liona Ost from Germany, who guided Sietlands Gustav to the fastest clear round in the jump-off. In the most challenging pony class of the day, the 1.25m against the clock, it was once again Lieselot Kooremans from the Netherlands who took the win. Riding her experienced partner Elando van de Roshoeve, she delivered a commanding performance, adding another victory to what has already been a highly successful weekend.
