Team Hesslink Williams Crowned Global Champions as Ignugral Baran Global Hunter Classic Concludes at Longines Tops International Arena

The inaugural Baran Global Hunter Classic came to an exciting conclusion today at Longines Tops International Arena, rounding off a weekend of exceptional sport and entertainment that captivated spectators and riders alike.

This groundbreaking new event brought the traditional elegance of hunter sport to Europe’s premier equestrian stage, with seven teams each comprising a professional hunter rider, a junior or amateur, and an international 5* show jumper - creating a dynamic mix of talent and experience. The format ensured thrilling competition across three days, culminating in today’s decisive Handy Hunter class, which accounted for 50% of the final score and tested precision, style, and handiness over a beautifully designed course.

With €300,000 in prize money at stake, the stakes were high, but it was Team Hesslink Williams who proved untouchable, holding their overnight lead to take the title with a final score of 182.83. The winning trio - Geoffrey Hesslink, Faith Schuttemeyer, and international show jumping star Lillie Keenan - impressed throughout the weekend with their style, consistency, and polish.

Faith Schuttemeyer also delivered an individual highlight in today’s Handy Hunter class, winning the final round aboard Juan Carlos, further securing her team’s dominant position.

Team French finished second on 178.17 points, with John French, Paige Walkenbach, and Dutch show jumping legend Harrie Smolders putting in superb performances across all three days. Smolders, contesting his first-ever hunter competition, produced scores that counted towards the team total despite not being a hunter specialist - a testament to his versatility as a rider.

The final spot on the podium went to Team California Rose, made up of Halie Robinson, Caroline Ingalls, and Maikel van der Vleuten, who maintained third place overnight to finish on 171.83 points.
The top three teams remained unchanged from Saturday’s standings, reflecting the consistency of their performances throughout this innovative competition.

The full team results were:
4th – Team Esau Williams (Emily Esau Williams, Ellie Sadrian, Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida) – 170.33
5th – Team Artemis (Lourdes de Guardiola Morrissey, Katherine Babun, Rodrigo Pessoa) – 162.67
6th – Team Mill Creek (Josh Dolan, Kylie Wilson, Michael Duffy) – 157.67
7th – Team Finally Farm (Hardin Towell, Madison Ramsey, Giampiero Garofalo) – 122.67

Overall winners of each section:
Professional - Geoffrey Hesslink & Paisley Park
Junior / Amateur - Faith Schuttemeyer & Juan Carlos
5* show jumper - Harrie Smolders & Ever So Often


In today’s Handy Hunter class individual results, Faith Schuttemeyer claimed first place on Juan Carlos, followed by Paige Walkenbach on Babylon in second, and Emily Esau Williams aboard Star Quality in third - all showcasing superb style and skill.

The Baran Global Hunter Classic was hailed as a huge success, bringing together the grace and tradition of hunter sport with the modern energy of team competition, all set in the world-class surroundings of Valkenswaard.

Families and fans enjoyed not just the sport, but also an immersive experience throughout the weekend, with entertainment, shopping, hospitality, and children’s activities creating a vibrant atmosphere that made the event a true celebration of equestrian sport and lifestyle.

As the curtain falls on this inaugural edition, it’s clear the Baran Global Hunter Classic has cemented its place on the international calendar - a perfect fusion of tradition, innovation, and entertainment.