Deusser Delivers in Summer Showcase Grand Prix Qualifier at Longines Tops International Arena

Mdmar – Longines Tops International Arena

• Valkenswaard

The opening day of the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase gathered a quality field for the CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier, where speed and flawless execution proved the winning combination as riders battled for top honours and an early confidence boost ahead of the weekend’s feature classes.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser delivered a trademark masterclass aboard Bingo Ste Hermelle, producing the quickest faultless round of the day in 60.00 seconds to claim victory. As one of only a handful of combinations to break the 62-second barrier, Deusser’s smooth, efficient performance proved untouchable.

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Fellow German Sophie Hinners continued her impressive form with a polished clear aboard Iron Dames Kaleni Jo, stopping the clock in 61.75 seconds to secure second place, while Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya guided Quadrado to third in 61.92 seconds after another stylish clear.

There was also a welcome return to the international arena for Frenchman Simon Delestre, who marked his comeback after being sidelined through injury with an impressive fourth-place finish aboard Golden Boy DK. Dutch rider Mathijs van Asten completed the top five on home soil with Hotspot, crossing the line in 62.34 seconds.

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With the leading combinations separated by little more than two seconds, the qualifier showcased the depth of talent on display at the Longines Tops International Arena and set the tone for an exciting weekend of top-level sport.

Speaking after his win, Daniel explained, “I’m very pleased with Bingo today. He jumped really well and felt fantastic from start to finish. It was a very strong field with plenty of quality combinations, so it’s always satisfying to come out on top. It’s a great way to start the weekend and I’m looking forward to the rest of the competition.”

CSI2* Big Tour – Big Names Take the Stage in the Big Tour

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Belgian top rider Koen Vereecke was the fastest today in the Big Tour against the clock competition. The starting field consisted of 45 combinations, 18 of which jumped clear. The first to go under 66 seconds was Dutchman Kevin Jochems. He rode a clear round in 65.39 seconds aboard the 13-year-old Zangersheide stallion Enola Gay of Two Notes Z (Emerald x Chin Chin). Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga came close to matching Jochems’s time, stopping the clock at 65.70 seconds with DMS Enkidu, a 15-year-old SF stallion by Ensor VDH Pleville. Then it was the turn of 56-year-old Vereecke from Waarschot. With a fast, clear round he claimed victory by flying across the finish line in 64.55 seconds aboard the nine-year-old gelding Riverflow van’t Ruytershof (BWP, Tornedo FCS x For Pleasure). Kevin Jochems ultimately finished second, followed by Andres Azcarraga in third place.

CSI2* SmallTour – Early Target Holds Up as Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi Claims Victory in Two-Phases Class

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In a fast-paced and highly competitive 1.35m two-phases class, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi rode to victory. Partnering with the experienced 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding Caletto Cabana, the Qatari rider set a blistering early target that remained unchallenged until the final competitor crossed the line.

With 40 combinations taking to the arena, competition was fierce. Entering as the sixth starter, Al Qadi guided Caletto Cabana (San Patrignano Cassini x Cape Canaveral) through a tight and clear second phase. The clock stopped at an impressive 30.96 seconds — a benchmark time that proved unbeatable and saw him as the only rider to break the 31-second barrier.

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Despite the early benchmark, the class remained exciting until the very end. Riding 38th in the order, America’s Madison Wu mounted a strong challenge aboard the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare Corona Z (Comilfo Plus Z x Calvaro F.C.). Crossing the timers clear in 31.49 seconds, she secured a well-earned second place, finishing just over half a second shy of the leader.

Ireland’s Gavin Harley steered the 10-year-old gelding Gandhy de Nantuel (by Luidam) to a smooth double-clear in 31.81 seconds to round off the podium in third. Out of the 40 starters, a total of 15 combinations managed to navigate both phases without fault. Sanne Thijssen produced the top result for the Netherlands. Aboard the 11-year-old KWPN stallion King Blue (Dallas x Chacco-Blue), she delivered a precise and fast performance, finishing in 31.96 seconds to secure a strong fourth place.

CSI2* Medium Tour – Lazarus Wins First 2* Competition 

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South African rider Oliver Lazarus claimed victory in the first 2* competition (Medium Tour), a Two Phases class. Out of 88 participants, the 38-year-old was the fastest with the eight-year-old SWB gelding Jansen (Million Dollar x Nintender), stopping the clock at 23.86 seconds. Lazarus, who runs a competition stable in Valkenswaard together with his wife Georgina, was also successful two weeks ago during the Summer Classic at Longines Tops International Arena. He is also a member of the GCL team Doha Falcons.

Belgian rider Helena Beyers seemed to secure second place for a long time with a time of 24.88 seconds, but could not hold the position. 2004 Olympic champion (Athens) Rodrigo Pessoa made a strong attempt with a fast round, stopping the clock at 24.16 seconds with the 10-year-old SF gelding Giorgio d’Ellipse (Prestige LS la Silla x Kannan). The 53-year-old top rider thus took second place, pushing Beyers and her eight-year-old BWP mare Sapphire van Stal Petit Breck (Elvis ter Putte x Eros Platiere) to third.

A thrilling competition with times among the faultless combinations that were very close.

CSI1* 1.30m – Alexandra Crown Fastest in CSI1* at Summer Showcase

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In an against the clock class for 1* combinations with obstacles up to 1.30m, American rider Alexandra Crown claimed victory. A total of 77 combinations participated in the competition in the sand arena of Longines Tops International Arena.

The 31-year-old Crown, from New York, delivered a smooth and fast round, stopping the clock at 55.67 seconds. Crown has been riding the 17-year-old Hanoverian mare Starlett (Stakatto x Cornet Obolensky) since late 2023. The second and third places went to Dutch riders. Tamara Klop finished second with the 14-year-old KWPN gelding Happy Handsome (Elvis ter Putte x Indoctro) in 56.11 seconds. Niels Berkvens completed the podium with the nine-year-old KWPN mare Miss Ottawa TN, who needed 57.89 seconds for their clear round.

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CSI1* 1.20m – Sara Rothstein best in 1* Two Phases

Canadian rider Sara Rothstein was by far the fastest in the 1* Two-Phases class (1.20m), which was ridden in the beautiful sand arena of Longines Tops International Arena. With a super-fast round, she flew over the finish line in 26.61 seconds aboard the 12-year-old OS Cotes de Provenc (Luidam x Tinka’s Boy). This is the first international victory for this rider, who was born in the Netherlands but competes for Canada. 

Second place went to Dutch rider Tim ten Berg and Donna Libera (by Dominator 2000 Z). Ten Berg and the eight-year-old ZfDP mare, who won a class two weeks ago during the Summer Classic, also put in a solid round in 27.57 seconds. German rider Franziska Bockhorn finished third with a time of 28.20 seconds. The 19-year-old, who took a break from international competitions for several years, rode the eight-year-old Westphalian gelding Derrick 122 (Diamant de Semilly x Comme Il Faut).

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CSI1* 1.10m – Rosanne Janssen Claims Victory in 1.10m Competition

Dutch rider Rosanne Janssen came, saw, and conquered in the 1.10m Two-Phases Special class. The rider from Asten, who celebrates her 30th birthday in four days’ time, started as fourth rider and immediately demonstrated that she was not to be underestimated. Her time of 28.42 seconds proved so fast that no one from the rest of the field could match it. She claimed the victory with the 10-year-old KWPN mare Larizona (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Labor’s VDL Indorado), with whom she secured second place two weeks ago during the Summer Classic.

Hungarian rider Nóra Jázmin Nagy finished second with the seven-year-old KWPN mare Orite 2 (Jenssen VDL x Darka VDL). The only 16-year-old rider stopped the clock at 29.34 seconds. Italian Paolo Bussu took third place with the mare Z7 Caretina (ISH, Coltaire Z x Caretino) in a time of 30.87 seconds.

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Young Horses – Felipe Amaral Takes Opening Victory at Summer Showcase

In a packed opening competition of the Summer Showcase at Longines Tops International Arena, Brazilian rider Felipe Amaral secured first prize in the Young Horses class.

The 40 participants in the Two Phases competition competed for the top honor in the beautiful grass arena of Valkenswaard. Of this group, no fewer than 15 combinations managed to stay clear in both phases, resulting in an intense battle for victory.

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Felipe Amaral rode the 7-year-old Zangersheide mare Ega van de Hoek Z (Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Cornet Obolensky). With a faultless round in both phases and the fastest time (29.28), the Brazilian added his name to the winner’s board. Amaral, operating from Belgium for Samaia Amaral Stables.

Second place went to Jose Fumero Hernandez from Spain with the 6-year-old CDE stallion Diamant de Chalina. The stallion (by Diamant de Semilly) was crowned best six-year-old in the field. They finished in 30.33 seconds.

French rider Robinson Maupiler took third place with Opaline, a 7-year-old KWPN mare (Comme Il Fut ✕Landor S). As the last starter, the win was still an option but lacked just enough speed to beat Amaral’s time, stopping the clock at 30.42.

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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.