Zoe Conter and La Una Clinch Victory in CSI4* Grand Prix

At the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell

A spectacular finale to an action-packed weekend, the CSI4* Grand Prix brought the Longines Global Future Champions to a dramatic close in Valkenswaard. Under bright summer skies, the world’s top athletes took on a challenging track crafted by Peter Schumacher and his team - one that demanded precision, scope, and split-second decisions at every turn.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd, it was Zoe Conter who rose to the occasion, guiding her long-time partner La Una to a stunning double clear in the jump-off. The pair stopped the clock in 37.16 seconds to claim the win - met with a wave of cheers from the grandstand as Zoe was embraced by her support crew, including fiancé Carlos Hank Guerreiro as well as her trainer and fellow top rider Michael Duffy.

La Una, the 14-year-old OS mare by Chacco-Blue out of a For Pleasure dam, was all class. Jumping with power and rhythm, she reaffirmed her place among the elite and delivered a crowning moment for Stephex Stables.

Zoe’s victory came at the end of a tightly contested jump-off featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. Harrie Smolders and the ultra-consistent Monaco - the renowned 16-year-old gelding by Cassini II x Contender - were just fractions behind, finishing second after a polished, flowing round in 37.51 seconds. Rising Italian talent Giampiero Garofalo claimed third aboard the brilliant 9-year-old Querido van’t Ruytershof, one of the most exciting young horses on the circuit, bred by the esteemed Stal ’t Ruytershof and sired by Mosito van het Hellehof.

The class was a true showcase of international depth and quality. Among the top contenders were home hero Leopold van Asten with VDL Groep Nino du Roton, Austrian rider Gerfried Puck aboard Equitron Naxcel V, and the Dutch Michael Greeve with Coromont, all of whom delivered clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.

The remainder of the top twelve included major names such as Eduardo Menezes, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Gilles Thomas, Ansgar Holtgers Jr, Philipp Weishaupt, and World No. 3 Henrik von Eckermann, adding star power to a fiercely competitive field.

Zoe Conter’s win marked not just a personal triumph, but a statement performance at the highest level - rounding out a weekend that celebrated global show jumping with passion, precision, and world-class sport.

Placings - CSI4* Grand Prix Presented by Longines

1. Zoe Conter (BEL) – La Una 

2. Harrie Smolders (NED) – Monaco

3. Giampiero Garofalo (ITA) – Querido van’t Ruytershof

4. Leopold van Asten (NED) – VDL Groep Nino du Roton

5. Gerfried Puck (AUT) – Equitron Naxcel V

6. Michael Greeve (NED) – Coromont

7. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) – Hot N Spicy

8. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) – Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre

9. Gilles Thomas (BEL) – Qiara de Kalvarie

10. Ansgar Holtgers Jr (USA) – Pixel-K van’t Kattenheye

11. Philipp Weishaupt (GER) – Kilmister

12. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) – Toveks Azaria Dinero

Watch the full class replay now on GCTV, and don’t miss your chance to be there for the season finale – the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, 22-24 August. Get your tickets today! 

Photo: 2* Grand Prix, Eduardo Pereira De Menezes (BRA) – H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z

Eduardo Pereira De Menezes Steals the Show in Thrilling CSI2* Grand Prix Finale in Valkenswaard

The CSI2* Grand Prix (1.45m) presented an electrifying conclusion to Sunday’s sport at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard. As the final highlight of the CSI2* division at the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell, the Grand Prix drew a stellar field of 52 starters, including Olympic and World Championship medallists such as Harrie Smolders, Laura Kraut, Daniel Deusser, and Jessica Springsteen.

Course designer Peter Schumacher set a tactically demanding track that required precision, scope, and speed - qualities that only 14 combinations were able to match, advancing to what would become a fiercely contested jump-off.

First to return for the final round was Harrie Smolders aboard the elegant KWPN stallion Jesther (Cardento x Guidam). The Dutchman set an early benchmark with a smooth and efficient clear in 41.25 seconds, which would ultimately land him sixth. Early challengers Ines Joly, Abdel Saïd, and Laura Kraut fell out of contention with jumping faults, clearing the path for the second half of the start list to light up the leaderboard.

Spanish rider Sergio Alvarez Moya then raised the stakes with a razor-sharp performance aboard the striking 8-year-old Caen (Chacoon Blue x Clintissimo Z). His time of 38.89 seconds made him the first to dip under the 39-second barrier, igniting hopes of a win for Spain. But those hopes were soon tested by Belgian star Jérôme Guery, who guided Haquinsa (Sandro Boy x Quintero) to a flawless round in 39.21 seconds, sliding just behind Moya into second.

It all came down to the final rider: Eduardo Pereira De Menezes of Brazil. Aboard the talented 9-year-old H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z (Kassander van ’t Roosakker x For Pleasure), the seasoned rider threw caution to the wind. Executing daring lines and tight turns, De Menezes stopped the clock at a blazing 38.70 seconds, clinching the win and sending the Brazilian camp into celebration.

The top six placings featured a blend of experience and rising talent:

Placed Competitors – CSI2 Grand Prix (1.45m)*

1. Eduardo Pereira De Menezes (BRA) – H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z
2. Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) – Caen
3. Jérôme Guery (BEL) – Haquinsa
4. Daniel Deusser (GER) – Kaduna JL Z
5. Thalessa de Jong (NED) – Karan-K van’t Kattenheye Z

6. Harrie Smolders (NED) – Jesther

   
   

With fast-paced sport, elite horsepower, and a thrilling conclusion, the CSI2* Grand Prix was a fitting end to an unforgettable Sunday in Valkenswaard - highlighting the strength and depth of the global talent on display throughout the weekend.

Theresa Kröninger Claims 1.50m Young Rider Grand Prix Presented by Longines Victory at Longines Global Future Champions

The Young Rider Grand Prix brought the curtain down on a thrilling weekend of top-level youth sport at the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell. In a competitive jump-off finale, Germany’s Theresa Kröninger and Hummer-N delivered a standout performance to take the win with just 4 faults in 41.20 seconds.

Top 6 Results:

1. Theresa Kröninger (GER) – Hummer

2. Ansgar Holtgers Jr (USA) – Nabucco Z

3. Lara Eggermont (BEL) – Born to Win AP Z

4. Paris Vandousselaere (BEL) – For Space

5. Kristina Klebanova (MON) – Diamanda 4

6. Ismail Osama El Borai (EGY) – Orelia van 't Edelweishof

The final showcased a talented field of rising stars, each demonstrating exceptional skill and composure under pressure. With riders from six nations placing in the top six, the Young Rider Grand Prix once again proved to be a global celebration of future show jumping talent.

Kooremans Crowned Childrens Grand Prix Champion at Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lamicell

The Children Grand Prix (1.25 m) on Sunday marked a fitting conclusion to the weekend for the youngest talents in show jumping. Only six combinations managed to qualify for the jump-off in this class for the stars of tomorrow. Noticeably absent from the jump-off was Belgium’s Laura Bézier, winner of both Friday and Saturday. An unlucky fault in the first round ended her winning streak. This time, victory went to another favorite: Lieselot Kooremans (NED). As the first to enter the impressive sand arena of the Longines Tops International Arena, she handled the pressure well. Riding her BWP mare Nini van HD (I’m Special de Muze x Elvis ter Putte), she produced a smooth, faultless round and stopped the clock at 32.48 seconds — a time that would remain unbeaten. An outstanding performance also came from the only 11-year-old Tim ten Berg, who delivered a clear and composed round with his sharp-jumping KWPN gelding Fadograaf (Vigaro x Quasimodo Z). His time of 34.15 seconds earned him a well-deserved second place. Third place went to Mhya Wilson Mille (FRA) aboard Ever So Clever EH Z (Zangersheide, Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Cassini I), who completed the podium with a strong, faultless effort in the jump-off.

Kooremans Does It Again: Pony Grand Prix Victory Caps Off Dominant Weekend in Valkenswaard

A challenging course awaited the riders in the Pony Grand Prix (1.30 m). Only three combinations managed to jump clear in the first round: Lieselot Kooremans (NED), Ruby Payne (GBR), and Elise van Regenmortel (BEL). Fresh off her win in the Children Grand Prix, Lieselot Kooremans once again proved to be in top form. With her fast and brave pony Elando van de Roshoeve, she opened the jump-off with a quick and clear round. The young rider, daughter of international eventing rider Raf Kooremans, is showing herself to be truly unstoppable this weekend. Next in the ring was Ruby Payne with Zee Tech, who unfortunately had a fault, taking her out of contention for the win. She eventually finished in third place. Elise van Regenmortel was the final rider with a chance to challenge Kooremans. Riding Troubadour Optimus, she delivered a faultless round, but her time wasn’t quite fast enough, earning her a well-deserved second place.

After the Pony Grand Prix, there were two more classes featuring pony riders: a 1.10 m and a 1.15 m class, both against the clock. The 1.10 m competition was won by Abigail Wicks from Great Britain riding Korado, finishing in a winning time of 71.47 seconds. The 1.15 m class was claimed by her fellow Brit, Luluwa von Bülow, aboard Cul Ban Mistress. They were the only combination to go clear, crossing the finish line in 71.39 seconds.