Longines Global Future Champions Concludes in Spectacular Style in Valkenswaard

Sergio Alvarez Moya and Quadrado Crowned Champions in Thrilling 4* Grand Prix

After three unforgettable days of world-class competition, the curtain came down on another outstanding edition of the Longines Global Future Champions at Longines Tops International Arena. Bringing together elite international riders alongside the sport's brightest young talent, the event once again celebrated every generation of show jumping in one spectacular setting, combining top-level sport with exceptional hospitality, vibrant entertainment and the unrivalled facilities that have made Valkenswaard one of the world's premier equestrian destinations.

From Pony, Children, Junior and Young Rider classes up to CSI4* competition featuring many of the world's leading athletes, the week showcased both the champions of today and the stars of tomorrow. With an electric atmosphere and unforgettable performances across every arena, Sunday's CSI4* Grand Prix provided the perfect finale to a week that highlighted the very best of international show jumping.

A thrilling 4* Grand Prix brought the Longines Global Future Champions to a spectacular close at Longines Tops International Arena, where Sergio Alvarez Moya and Quadrado emerged victorious after a thrilling 12-horse jump-off. Course designer Peter Schumacher struck an excellent balance, producing a flowing first-round test that rewarded quality riding and set the stage for a high-calibre jump-off featuring many of the sport's leading riders and rising stars.

When it mattered most, Alvarez Moya and the 10-year-old Quadrado delivered the fastest double clear of the afternoon, stopping the clock in 41.81 seconds to secure their first 4* Grand Prix victory together.

Delighted with the result, Alvarez Moya reflected on the partnership that has continued to develop over the past two years. "I'm very happy with this win. It's our first 4* Grand Prix victory together, and I think it's a nice reward after a couple of years building the partnership. Quadrado has been improving all the time, and this week he jumped fantastic. We've had a really good run of shows here at the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival, so to finish with a win in the 4* Grand Prix is very special. He gave me everything today, and I couldn't ask for more."

Following his victory in Saturday's 4* Grand Prix Qualifier, Harry Charles continued his outstanding weekend, this time aboard his relatively new mount LT Holst Freda. The pair looked increasingly established together, producing another polished double clear to finish second in 43.64 seconds, underlining the exciting potential of the partnership.

Denmark's Andreas Schou completed the podium aboard the exciting nine-year-old Riverdale van't Poezelhof. Continuing to establish themselves as one of Schou's most promising combinations, the pair produced another composed double clear to claim third in 43.93 seconds. The loudest reaction of the afternoon came when home favourite Harrie Smolders and Estrello EH Z attacked the jump-off. Their time of 43.48 seconds would have put them firmly in contention, but a single rail brought an audible groan from the home crowd, dropping the Dutch combination to fourth place.

Zayna Rizvi once again demonstrated remarkable composure on one of the biggest stages of the week. Under the pressure of a 4* Grand Prix jump-off against some of the world's best, she guided the experienced Exquise du Pachis to fifth place, another standout performance that underlined her growing confidence at this level.

While Faleh Suwead Al Ajami and Wathnan Quatro completed the top six after another assured performance, rounding off an exceptionally competitive jump-off. A 12-horse finale packed with established stars and emerging talent provided a fitting conclusion to another successful edition of the Longines Global Future Champions, with Alvarez Moya and Quadrado delivering the performance of the day to claim a memorable 4* Grand Prix victory.

With another memorable edition of the Longines Global Future Champions complete, attention now turns to the final event of the 2026 season at Longines Tops International Arena. From 4–6 September, the venue will once again welcome the world's best riders and horses for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, where championship battles will intensify as the race towards the Rabat Finals and GC Playoffs reaches its decisive stages.

CSI2* Big Tour - Yuri Mansur Triumphs in Thrilling CSI2* Grand Prix

The CSI2* Grand Prix at the Longines Tops International Arena delivered everything a premier showjumping event promises: world-class sport, supreme craftsmanship, and rising talent. A challenging initial course tested the field of 56 horse-and-rider combinations, with the time allowed also proving decisive. Ultimately, 13 combinations produced clear rounds to advance to a high-stakes jump-off.

Top honors went to Brazilian star Yuri Mansur who put on a masterclass aboard the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Incanto VDL (Kannan x Indoctro), crossing the line in an unbeatable 40.84 seconds to claim victory. Second place went to Britain’s Harry Charles, building on his win in yesterday's 4* Grand Prix qualifier. Riding the 10-year-old stallion Ballypatrick Tiberius (Caligula x Messenger), he stopped the clock in a swift 41.83 seconds. Dutch rider Lars Kersten held the home flag high as the final starter of the class, steering the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare Carmen H Z (Cicero Z van Paemel x Air Jordan) into third place with a clear round in 42.10 seconds.

The class also featured a touching family moment, as Mexico’s Carlos Hank Guerreiro finished fourth aboard H5 Chilipepper Z (Crunch x Diarado). He stayed ringside immediately after his round to cheer on his family member, Sara Maria Hank Guerreiro, who guided the grey stallion H5 Lacalito 2 (Legolas x Cancara) to a respectable ninth-place finish.

CSI2* Medium Tour - America's Vani Khosla Blazes to Victory in Highly Competitive CSI2* 1.30m Speed Class

With 55 combinations starting in the CSI2* 1.30m competition against the clock, the battle for top honors was fierce. Despite a remarkable 32 clear rounds, only two riders managed to break the sub-60-second barrier.

Victory went to American rider Vani Khosla. The 34-year-old athlete, who recently joined the GCL team Cairo Pharaohs, delivered a brilliant, fluid performance aboard her experienced 16-year-old MASAF mare Moka Delle Schiave (Stakkato x Contendro), stopping the clock in a winning time of 57.75 seconds. Second place was claimed by Sheikh Fahad Jassim H K Al Thani representing Qatar. Riding his 13-year-old OS gelding (Kannan x Loran), he produced a swift clear round in 58.54 seconds to secure the runner-up spot. Saudi Arabia's Saad Alajmi rounded out the international podium in third place. Partnering with the 10-year-old mare Heidi XVI, he delivered a clean performance in 60.08 seconds.

CSI2* Small Tour - Chiara van der Linden Dominates with a 1-2 Finish

Dutch rider Chiara van der Linden put on a masterclass in the CSI2 1.20m competition against the clock, claiming both first and second place in dominant fashion. The 20-year-old rider from Maartensdijk proved unstoppable in the international 1.20m speed class. Aboard her 13-year-old mare LT Holst Elizabeth (Clinton x Casall), Van der Linden delivered an exceptionally fast clear round, stopping the clock in a blistering 61.17 seconds to secure a well-deserved victory.

Her winning streak didn't end there. Partnering with her second mount, the 9-year-old SBS mare Lubie de Villee (Untouchable x Ogano Sitte), she crossed the line in 65.18 seconds. Although 4.01 seconds off her own winning pace, it was enough to capture second place as well. Third place went to American rider Alexandra Crown. Riding the 14-year-old Zangersheide mare Dorothy DH Z (Donckervoort DH x Va-Vite), the 31-year-old athlete, who enjoyed a stellar weekend at the Summer Showcase with two victories, posted another impressive clear round in 65.23 seconds to complete the podium.

CSIY 1.35m - Giulia Pasquini Claims Victory in Tactical CSIY Grand Prix presented by Longines

The CSIY Grand Prix (1.45m) presented by Longines came down to a tactical showdown, with only four combinations earning a ticket to the jump-off. As the competition chased time and picked up penalties, a calculated, clear performance proved to be the winning formula.

It was 19-year-old Italian rider Giulia Pasquini who emerged triumphant. Partnered with the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Rock of Cashel (VDL Bubalu x Cardento) - previously campaigned by Irish star Tom Wachman - Pasquini delivered a smooth, measured round. Taking no unnecessary risks, she produced the jump-off's sole clear round, stopping the clock at 47.87 seconds to take top honors.

Second place went to 2024 Junior European Champion Olivia Alvarez García of Spain. As the final rider in the arena, she laid down a lightning-fast time of 43.60 seconds aboard the 10-year-old gelding Gibraltar Villa Rose (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Apache d’Adriers), but a single rail at the vertical after the double combination kept her in second. Switzerland's Lou Puch, Friday's winner, took third place with the 10-year-old gelding Malito (Malito de Reves x Heartbreaker) after an unlucky fence cost four penalties in 44.61 seconds. Belgium's Kasper De Boeck proved to be the fastest rider in the field once again, but his rapid 42.45-second round aboard Nepal S (Kannan x Toulon) came at the expense of 8 faults, settling him into fourth place.

CSIY  1.35m - Belgium's Rik Nauta Flies to Victory in CSIY 1.35m Young Riders Speed Class

The CSIY 1.35m competition against the clock turned into an exciting Belgo-Dutch showdown, with Belgium's Rik Nauta laying down an unbeatable pace to take top honors. Entering the arena as the very first competitor of the class, Rik Nauta set an untouchable standard. Riding his 11-year-old mare Diva vd Withoeve Z (Don’t Touch Tiji Hero x Chellano Z), the Belgian rider produced a blistering clear round, stopping the clock in an extraordinary 59.83 seconds, a benchmark that proved impossible for the rest of the field to catch.

Belgium added to their success with Helena Beyers taking second place. Beyers, who has enjoyed a stellar run throughout the Longines Global Future Champions weekend, guided her gelding Urban Legend HWS (Dida di Darco x Vigo d’Arsouilles) to another clear round in 68.48 seconds. Dutch rider Yoni van Santvoort completed the podium in third place. Partnering with the 10-year-old mare Lady Gaga (by Emerald), Van Santvoort delivered a smooth, clear performance to cross the finish line in 76.78 seconds.

CSIJ GP - Victoria Scherbakov Claims Thrilling Victory in Junior Grand Prix (1.40m)

In a high-calibre and thrilling jump-off featuring five top international talents, 17-year-old Swiss rider Victoria Scherbakov captured victory in the Junior Grand Prix (1.40m), setting a benchmark time from the start that proved untouchable. The 1.40m main event attracted a competitive field of 19 horse-and-rider combinations. Five athletes representing five different nations cleared the initial course to advance to the decisive jump-off.

Blistering Pace from Scherbakov

Opening the jump-off was Switzerland's Victoria Scherbakov aboard her 8-year-old mare Si Belle JM van ’t Meulenhof (Cera d’Ick x Elvis ter Putte). Setting the pace as first to go in a jump-off is always difficult, yet Scherbakov delivered a masterclass in precision and speed, crossing the timers faultlessly in 42.87 seconds. The Geneva-based rider boasts a rich championship pedigree, having represented Switzerland at the Pony European Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024, alongside claiming Swiss National Championship titles in 2022 and 2024.

Italy's Elena Pasquini opted for a measured strategy aboard the experienced 18-year-old gelding Don Vito (Quaprice Bois Margot x Jus de Pomme). Refusing to take unnecessary risks, Pasquini delivered a clean, clear round to secure a brilliant second-place finish. The remaining contenders pushed the limits of speed. Irish rider Arielle Allen delivered a blistering performance with the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare Kandice Z (Kannan x Levisto), stopping the clock at a breathtaking 40.31 seconds - the fastest time of the class. However, a light touch at the double combination resulted in four penalty points, placing her third.

Final rider to enter the arena was 16-year-old Dutch talent Stella Heijligers, daughter of international show jumper Rob Heijligers. Riding the BWP gelding Neil Diamo d’Art (Andiamo Z x Narcos II), Heijligers showed immaculate style but was caught out by vertical (fence 4), finishing fourth. Saudi Arabia's Mashhoor Alothaim with Cinsello Blue PS (OS, Cinsey x Chacco-Blue) also suffered a rail at fence 4 after a strong opening pace, rounding out the top five.

CSIJ 1.20m - All-Dutch Podium in CSIJ 1.25m Speed Class

The international Junior competition against the clock (1.25m) resulted in a complete sweep of the podium by Dutch riders. Out of 26 combinations, six managed to produce a clear round, but it was the very last starter who spectacularly snatched the win.

The 18-year-old Marie Schalken, residing in Kessenich (Belgium), left nothing to chance. As the final rider to enter the arena, she sped through the course with the seven-year-old KWPN mare Oddity Allegro (I’m Special de Muze x Numero Uno), stopping the clock at a blazing 66.29 seconds to claim a brilliant victory. Second place went to Giulia Pronk aboard the grey KWPN mare Oh My Girl WS (Casago x Indoctro). The pair put in a strong faultless performance, crossing the finish line in 67.05 seconds.

Completing the all-Dutch podium was Yoni van Santvoort. Riding the KWPN mare Mainly San Peppy (Brantzau x Carambole), she delivered a clean round in 70.51 seconds to secure third place.

CSICH GP - Belgium's Noé Vochten Claims Sole Clear Round to Win CSICh Grand Prix

The Children’s Grand Prix brought an exciting battle for victory. In a demanding 1.25m competition, only one combination managed to produce a faultless performance to capture the prestigious title. After finishing in second place yesterday, Belgium's Noé Vochten returned to the arena determined to take top honors. Riding her smooth and controlled round with the eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding Best Call Z (Bamako de Muze x For Pleasure), she stayed clear all the way to cross the finish line in 80.19 seconds.

The runner-up and third-placed riders both posted faster times, but paid the price with a four-fault penalty. Germany's Liona Ost locked in second place aboard the eight-year-old OS mare Liebe Krone (Casanova x Acord II), stopping the clock in a rapid 72.51 seconds with four faults.

One of the weekend’s absolute favorites, Pedro Mansur (NED), had to settle for third this time. After winning classes on both Friday and Saturday, bad luck struck in the Grand Prix. Mansur and his Selle Français stallion Away Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Watzmann) picked up four faults, crossing the finish in 76.42 seconds to take the final spot on the podium.

CSIP - Charlène Baan Claims CSIP Grand Prix Victory

The CSIP Grand Prix (1.30m) culminated in a thrilling all-female showdown at the Longines Tops International Arena. Following a demanding first round, only three combinations - two from the Netherlands and one from Germany - secured a spot in the jump-off.

It was 14-year-old Dutch rider Charlène Baan who produced the winning performance. Riding her 12-year-old grey mare I. Easter Ivy BB Z, she remained clear and composed, executing the sole double-clear round in 43.90 seconds to capture the Grand Prix title.

Germany’s Luna Hagedorn, who celebrated her 16th birthday on Thursday, posted the fastest time in the jump-off (38.51 seconds) aboard Balthazar de Bordes, but an unlucky four faults placed her in second. Third place went to newly crowned European Champion Lieselot Kooremans. Her ever-eager 22-year-old veteran Elando van de Roshoeve showed plenty of spirit, but a single rail in 39.29 seconds saw Friday’s winner complete the podium in third.

Dutch Double in Other Pony Classes

Dutch riders also swept the other pony competitions. Cleo van Orsouw led the field in the 1.10m class, riding Rudgeway Maestro to a faultless victory in 63.25 seconds. Shortly after, Josephine Rodenburg secured top honors in the 1.15m class, stopping the clock clear in 57.91 seconds with her pony Geena Lisa.