Season Opener Delivers Sun, Sport and Style at Longines Tops International Arena

Season Opener Delivers Sun, Sport and Style at Longines Tops International Arena

The 2025 season at Longines Tops International Arena began in spectacular fashion as the Summer Classic brought three days of elite sport, festive atmosphere, and unforgettable moments to Valkenswaard. From seasoned stars battling it out in the CSI4* Grand Prix to future champions taking centre stage in the Young Horse Final, and the debut of the Baran Global Hunter Classic capturing imaginations – this opening event set the tone for an unmissable summer ahead.

Azcarraga Steals the Spotlight in CSI4* Grand Prix Thriller

In a CSI4* Grand Prix that had the crowd holding its breath, Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga emerged victorious aboard Contendros 2, edging out home favourite Harrie Smolders by just 0.05 seconds in a fiercely competitive jump-off. Smolders, already a double winner earlier in the week, was narrowly denied a hat-trick on Mr. Tac, with Denis Lynch and Cordial completing the podium in third. The star-studded class saw entries from the likes of Jessica Springsteen, Daniel Deusser, Christian Ahlmann, Philipp Weishaupt, Simon Delestre, and Gilles Thomas, with only nine clear rounds in the first phase highlighting the course’s difficulty and depth of competition.

Vrieling’s Double Delight in CSI2*

Dutch veteran Jur Vrieling was in blistering form, claiming two standout victories in the CSI2* division. Riding Helwell du Chabus, he flew to victory in the 2* Grand Prix with a winning time of 31.94 seconds – over a second faster than nearest rival Khaled Almobty. Earlier in the weekend, Vrieling had already impressed in the Medium Tour with a thrilling win aboard Jaguar Fighter Go, denying fan-favourite Teddy van de Rijt and Eduardo Pereira De Menezes by fractions of a second. The 2* classes saw strong performances from Jessica Springsteen, Piet Raijmakers Jr., Rodrigo Pessoa, and Philipp Weishaupt, further showcasing the strength and variety of the field.

Rising Stars Shine in the Young Horse Final

Sunday kicked off with a showcase of future talent in the CSIYH Final, where Germany’s Laura Klaphake stole the show aboard her seven-year-old grey mare. Her winning time of 30.36 seconds just edged out Gilles Thomas and Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi, whose early leads kept the competition intense. With 25 clears into the jump-off and top-level performances across the board, the class proved that the future of show jumping is in very capable hands

A Hunter Debut to Remember

Making its European debut, the Baran Global Hunter Classic brought a new dimension to the weekend – and delivered in style. With seven international teams made up of professional hunter riders, juniors or amateurs, and 5* show jumpers, the competition format offered a fresh take on traditional hunter sport.

It was Team Hesslink Williams who ultimately claimed the inaugural title, with Geoffrey Hesslink, Faith Schuttemeyer, and Lillie Keenan proving a winning combination across all three days. Schuttemeyer delivered a standout performance in the final Handy Hunter class to seal the win, while Team French – featuring John French, Paige Walkenbach, and Harrie Smolders – claimed second, and Team California Rose, with Maikel van der Vleuten in their ranks, completed the podium.

Blending elegance, athleticism, and international flair, the Baran Global Hunter Classic was hailed as a major success – and a welcome addition to the LTIA calendar.

A Weekend to Remember

Set against perfect summer skies, the Summer Classic delivered more than just world-class sport. From live music and gourmet food trucks to shopping, kids’ entertainment, and shaded grandstand seating, the weekend created a relaxed and festive environment for families and fans alike. With some of the biggest names in the sport competing and new stars breaking through, the event was a true celebration of the equestrian lifestyle.

The next generation of talent also took centre stage, with the stars of tomorrow riding alongside legends of the sport. Louana Delestre impressed under the guidance of her father, Simon Delestre, while Chloé Tops competed under the watchful eye of her parents, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Jan Tops – a powerful reflection of the legacy and future of show jumping.

Don’t Miss What’s Next: The Summer Showcase – 20% Off Tickets Now On!

The action continues from 25–27 July as the Summer Showcase returns to Longines Tops International Arena – and now’s the time to secure your seat. For one week only, enjoy 20% off Grandstand tickets with no code needed – the discount is automatically applied at checkout.

📍 Book now – your summer weekend starts here.