Home Hero Harrie Smolders Narrowly Denied 4* Grand Prix Victory by Just 0.05 Seconds on Thrilling Final Day at Longines Tops International Arena
July 13, 2025The 2025 Summer Classic at Longines Tops International Arena culminated in an extraordinary day of top sport and vibrant entertainment, as international riders took centre stage for the highlight CSI4* Grand Prix - and an electric crowd witnessed a finale that came down to a mere 0.05 seconds.
The jump-off itself unfolded in captivating fashion, with Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga ultimately claiming victory aboard the experienced Contendros 2, stopping the clock in 35.62 seconds to take home the lions share of the €105,500 in prize money. Dutch favourite Harrie Smolders, who had already taken wins on both previous days of the Summer Classic, was aiming for a perfect hat-trick and came heartbreakingly close - just 0.05 seconds slower with Mr. Tac in 35.67 seconds, with Denis Lynch and Cordial rounding off the podium.
Under perfect summer skies, spectators enjoyed a true festival atmosphere, with a packed programme offering something for all ages - children’s entertainment, gourmet food outlets, shopping, live music, and of course, thrilling equestrian sport. The event proved a perfect family day out, attracting fans from across the Netherlands and beyond.
At the heart of the action, a challenging first round of the CSI4* Grand Prix saw only nine riders jump clear and qualify for what would be a dramatic jump-off. There were shock exits from some of the sport’s biggest stars - including Jessica Springsteen, Gilles Thomas, Simon Delestre, Daniel Deusser, and Leopold van Asten - highlighting the difficulty of the course and the fierce level of competition.
First to return for the jump-off, Italy’s Linda Bratomi set a confident tone aboard Happiness, opting for a careful approach to deliver a smooth double clear in 42.06 seconds. Her round provided a solid benchmark and ultimately secured a strong fifth-place finish.
Germany’s Christian Ahlmann looked to take the early lead with an aggressive strategy, riding all the inside turns to shave seconds from the clock. His time of 36.08 seconds would have put him in front, but a heartbreaking rail at the penultimate fence left him on 4 faults, relegating him to seventh place.
Mexico’s Paola Amilibia produced a thoughtful round, choosing a steady rhythm rather than chasing the clock. Her careful riding paid off with a double clear in 44.49 seconds, earning her sixth place overall.
Ireland’s Denis Lynch followed with an effortless and flowing round aboard the experienced Cordial, clocking a fast and faultless 35.96 seconds. His polished effort ultimately secured him the final place on the podium in third.
Andres Azcarraga and the 18-year-old Contendros 2 executed a perfectly judged round under immense pressure. Riding with precision and speed, they crossed the finish in 35.62 seconds, stealing victory by the narrowest of margins with a nerve racking wait to see if it was enough.
France’s Charlotte Leoni delivered a determined performance aboard Vivolenska, producing a fast first round that earned her a place in the jump-off. In the second round, she posted a time of 40.31 seconds but incurred 4 faults after a rail fell mid-course, ultimately finishing in ninth place. Her strong showing capped off an impressive weekend for the French rider, who consistently challenged at the top level throughout the Summer Classic.
Local hero Harrie Smolders entered the arena to rousing cheers, having already won classes on both preceding days. A typically slick and precise round saw Harrie stop the clock at 35.67 seconds, posting a double clear that looked unbeatable until the final rider, eventually securing a close second-place finish - just 0.05 seconds off the win.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly rode with determination, attacking the course with intent. However, like Ahlmann before him, he lowered a rail coming out of the double. His time of 36.46 seconds with 4 faults was good enough for eighth place on the day.
Last to go, Italy’s Giampiero Garofalo produced a fast and balanced double clear in 36.29 seconds, demonstratinga superb partnership with the talented nine-year-old Querido van’t Ruytershof. His impressive effort earned him fourth place in this elite line-up.
As the sun set on this final day, it was clear that the Summer Classic had been a triumph not just of sport but of atmosphere and experience - a celebration of world-class equestrianism, set in the immaculate surroundings of Longines Tops International Arena, where sporting excellence meets family-friendly entertainment. All eyes now turn to the Summer Showcase from July 24 - July 27 2025.
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CSI2*
The 2* Grand Prix had everything you want to see in a Grand Prix, skill, speed and excitement until the end. 13 of the 52 competitors had qualified for the jump-off. The first clear round was recorded by Dutchman Leopold van Asten with VDL Groep Leopold (For Pleasure x Corrado I) in a time of 34.68 seconds. This was immediately bettered by German Christian Ahlmann who crossed the finish line in 34.64 with Clintrexo Z (Clintissimo Z x Rex Z). Then it was the turn of Khaled Almobty (KSA) who got off to a dazzling start with Diana du Plevau Z (Dieu Merci by T&L x Kashmir van Schuttershof) and took over the lead in the standings in a time of 33.14 seconds. Several riders made a good attempt to improve Almobty's time, including American Jessica Springsteen, Dutch Piet Raijmakers Jr, German Philipp Weishaupt and Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa, but it was Dutchman Jur Vrieling who eventually took first place. When he started it was immediately clear that he would go for it with the 12-year-old SBS mare Helwell du Chabus (Elvis Ter Putte x Orlando). The duo went lightning fast over the last obstacle, stopping the clock at 31.94 seconds. A stunning victory for the rider from Holwierde. Almobty finished in second place and third was Rodrigo Pessoa and the Westphalian mare Corrie 9 (Comme Il Faut x Arpeggio).
The 2* Medium Tour competition, where riders rode their jump-off immediately after a clear round remained exciting until the end. Dutch rider Teddy van de Rijt, who can almost always be found at the front, was in the lead for a long time as the fourth starter with her top horse Explosion (KWPN, Applaus x Numero Uno) with a time of 31.32 seconds, but when Jur Vrieling appeared in the arena it was done with her hopes of victory. The 55-year-old rider from Holwierde, Groningen, stayed clear in his first round and then put his horse into extra gear. Jaguar Fighter Go (KWPN, Andiamo x Numero Uno) lived up to his name, crossing the finish line in 29.45 seconds. It turned out to be the winning time as Brazilian Eduardo Pereira De Menezes and second-to-last starter Piet Raijmakers (NED) were also unable to drive Vrieling from first place despite a very good effort. Pereira De Menezes eventually came second with Calypso des Matis (SF, Padock du Plessis HN x Tresor de Cheux) in a time of 30.44 seconds while Raijmakers claimed third place with Van Schijndels Olaya Z (Zang, Ogano Sitte x Concorde) with a time of 30.63 seconds.
CSI1* Seven combinations qualified for the jump-off in the 1* Grand Prix in the sand arena on Sunday morning including three Dutch riders. The first starters, American Madison Wu, Senna Everse (NED) and top German rider Laura Klaphake failed to go clear and this presented opportunities for Hilde Veenstra and she took them with both hands. The 19-year-old from Hoevelaken went flat out and her nine-year-old gelding Royal Mail (AES, Billy Tudor x Triomphe de Muze) jumped smoothly over the obstacles. They stopped the clock at 36.86 seconds. Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri (QAT) made another good attempt but his horse Navaronne tapped the pole of the penultimate fence. He had to settle for fifth place. Dutch rider Pam Nieuwenhuis managed to come close to Veenstra's time. She and Myacintha O (KWPN, VDL Douglas x HBC Cantos) crossed the finish line in 37.30 seconds, taking second place. Irishman Gavin Harley finished in third place with Holidays de Riverland (SF, L'Arc de Triomphe Bois Margot x Kannan). The combination stayed clear in a time of 38.08 seconds.
Dutch Thalessa de Jong repeated her victory from yesterday in the against-the-clock competition for 1* combinations. Today, she was again by far the fastest with her mare Habrina (KWPN, Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Phin Phin). The duo recorded a clear round in 57.25 seconds. Second place was for Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi (UAE) who has already had quite a few good placings during this Summer Classic. In this competition, he rode the Hanoverian stallion Challenger (Contendro x Stakkato) across the finish line in 60.43 seconds. Third place went to Luxembourger Victor Bettendorf and Globe Trotter (Kannan x Cassini I). They too stayed clear in a time of 61.22 seconds.
Dutch Rosanne Janssen won on Friday and was runner-up yesterday with Caprice K Z and today she again won the 1.15m class in which the riders rode their jump-off directly after their clear first round. Rosanne had saddled her nine-year-old KWPN mare Larizona for today and with her too she rode a super fast round. The duo crossed the finish line in 31.48. In doing so, she relegated Saud Alrasheed (KSA) to second place. The 15-year-old finished earlier in the competition with a time of 32.25 seconds with Floristina (DSP, Floris TN x Kolibri). American Tori Row completed the podium. She stopped the clock at 32.75 seconds with Tamina 135 (OS, O Tangelo x Calido I).
CSIYH
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Sunday, the third day of the Summer Classic, began with the final for the young horses in the grass arena of Longines Tops International Arena. This competition offered the audience great sport, excitement and quality. It was a super opportunity for these future champions to compete for victory in such a beautiful and impressive entourage. 25 combinations remained clear in the first round and qualified for the jump-off. Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi (UAE) quickly took the lead with Blitz ALZ (ZANG, by Balou Star) with a super fast round in 31.30 seconds. Of the following combinations that entered the arena after him, several remained clear but no one could improve the time until Belgium's top rider Gilles Thomas entered the ring. With a smooth and controlled round with Saladin “S” (BWP, Ducati vh Schuttershof x Cash), he bettered Al Suwaidi's time and crossed the finish line in 30.79 seconds. Thomas only got to enjoy his provisional first place for a short while as Germany's Laura Klaphake showed it could be done even faster. Her seven-year-old grey mare (BWP, Magic Star van de Eedthoek x Dieu Merci by T&L) flew through the course and stopped the clock at 30.36 seconds. A time that gave her the eventual victory. Best Dutchman was Jur Vrieling who finished in fourth place with Nikky Vera (KWPN, Emir R x Goodtimes). Best six-year-old was Jumbo la Roque (SF, Mylord Carthago x Untouchable) by Luxembourger Victor Bettendorf in sixth place.
