Jochems has loved coming to Tops International Arena since 2016. “The facilities here are amazing, it couldn’t be better, everything you need is there and the grass here is incredible, one of the best footings I’ve ever seen. I like to bring my young horses here because I think it is important for young horses to jump on the grass. So it’s ideal to jump here for three days.”
Italian speed merchant Emanuele Gaudiano secured the lion’s share of CSI4* 1.50m prize purse on board the lighting fast Crack Balou. With music flowing around the venue, crowds moved from the buzzing Place de Concorde to watch Simon Delestre have to settle for second place by half a second on Dexter Fontenis Z while home hero Kevin Jochems continued his flying form to claim third on Cornetboy.
Summer Event 3 was opened by the young horses in the beautiful grass arena of Tops International Arena. Nine six-year-olds and 27 seven-year-olds appeared at the start of this Two Phases Special class with obstacles up to 1.30/1.35m high. Dutch rider Kevin Jochems won the class with a brilliant smooth round. With the seven-year-old Zangersheide mare Looks Good de Liebri Z (Lector van den Bisschop x Bentley van de Heffinck) he managed to finish the course just a little faster than the Frenchman Julien Anquetin and his seven-year-old stallion Crack d’Aiguilly Z (Zang, Comme Il Faut x Nabab de Reve) who were leading until then.
“It is a nice and naturally very fast horse. A fortnight ago she also jumped here and was placed every day. Really a super nice horse,” said Jochems praising his horse who he is riding since January. “I think she has a bright future. She has already jumped many clear rounds, she is very competitive, I have a good feeling about her.”
Third place was for American Molly Hay and the SF gelding Fala Brecourt (Urano de Cartigny x Helios de la Cour II). Best six-year-old was the OS grey stallion Chicharito (Cornet Obolensky x Cellestial) in fifth place ridden by Brazilian Andre Americo de Miranda.
Germany’s Nicola Pohl won the CSI2* Big Tour competition (Two Phases, 1.45m) on Friday morning. The talented rider rode a clear round with the mare Fiona des Hayettes (SBS, Lord des Hayettes x Ryon d’Anzex) in 25.79 seconds. The 26-year-old rides for Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen and has already taken quite a few victories to her name this year. Dutchman Piet Raijmakers Jr made a good attempt with Van Schijndel’s Olaya Z (Zang, Ogano Sitte x Concorde) but had to settle for second place. The Belgian Alexander Housen, who has been very successful this season at Tops International Arena, came third with the ISH mare Rockwell RC (by Kannan).
The CSI2* Medium Tour (Two Phases, 1.40m) was won by the Turkish rider Derin Demirsoy. The 28-year-old, who lives in Maastricht stayed clear in a time of 27.27 seconds with the SF stallion Caprice d’Elle (Arko III x Papillon Rouge). Second place was shared by the Dutch Leopold van Asten with VDL Groep Victoria (KWPN, by Do Spiritivo) and the Italian Lorenzo de Luca with Dirka de Blondel (SF, Very Berlin de Castel x Lauterbach). They both had a clear round in 28.19 seconds.
Today’s CSI1* Two Phases Special, 1.30/1.35m, was won by Romain Potin and the Zangersheide mare Une Folie de l’Oz (Untouchable x Sandro Boy). Potin stayed clear in both phases and stopped the clock at 36.92 seconds. The 34-year-old Frenchman, who runs Ecurie Romain Potin together with his wife Juliette, recently came 2nd in the 2* Grand Prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco with Coconet. Syria’s Shady Ghrayeb came second with the SF gelding Cabernet de Mars (Baloubet du Rouet x Dollar dela Pierre). This 43-year-old rider won an individual silver medal and a team gold medal at this year’s Mediterranean Games in Oran, Algeria. Third place went to the Belgian Guido Hornesch who had saddled the BWP mare Nailah (Kannan x Darco) for this class. During Summer Event 1 this combination managed to win this class.
A few weeks ago, during Summer Event 1, he was almost unbeatable and also now the other competitors could not keep Kasper De Boeck from victory. The 15 year old Kasper was the fastest in the CSI1* 1.20m Two Phases course with the KWPN mare Gerenia (by Cantos). They were clear in 30.59 seconds. The Belgian young talent made his international debut at the CSI Lier in June 2018, still only 11 years old. His compatriot Guido Hornesch was also at the front of the prize-giving line-up in this class. He finished second with Karanka (Cidane x Ikoon) with a clear round in 32.55 seconds. British rider Claudia Moore finished in third place with H Quainton Xtra Factor (KWPN, Namelus R x Nisan Catango Z).
Full results here