Eduardo Pereira de Menezes Flies to Five-Star Victory at Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard
Mdamr – Valkenswaard – LGCT
Eduardo Pereira de Menezes and H5 Messentus PS delivered a lightning-fast jump-off to claim five-star victory in today’s 1.50m class sponsored by Roelofsen Horse Trucks at the Longines Tops International Arena.
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Nine combinations emerged from the first round with a clean sheet to earn their place in the jump-off, setting up a high-speed battle where the margins proved razor thin.
Speaking about his win Menezes said: “To have my horses performing like they are at this beautiful grass arena is something special. It takes a lot of hard work behind wins like this and I couldn’t be more thankful to the team behind me including my family and everyone at H5 Stables.
He added, “I’m now fully focussed on tomorrow’s LGCT Grand Prix. There is a strong field here and it’s going to be a big day of top sport.”
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The first round had already produced its share of surprises, with uncharacteristic rails falling for several major names. Emanuele Camilli and Chacarano PS, Abdel Saïd with Wathnan Bonne Amie and Daniel Deusser aboard Bingo Ste Hermelle were among those denied a place in the deciding round.
First to return against the clock was Ireland’s Mark McAuley with the stylish nine-year-old Rossi vd Heffinck. McAuley immediately laid down the challenge, producing a smooth clear in 39.68 seconds and handing those behind him a serious time to chase.
Italy’s Clara Pezzoli followed with Hadewyn van’t Ravennest, keeping the fences intact and crossing the line in 42.19 seconds. Jérôme Guéry was next to take his shot but, after an impressive opening round, two rails put him out of contention.
Sandra Auffarth and Comcador OLD then added another double clear to the scoreboard, stopping the clock in 40.85 seconds before Kevin Jochems shifted the class up another gear.
The Dutchman attacked aboard Casquetto van de Helle, finding the answers everywhere around the shortened course to take over the lead in 37.71 seconds.
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Then came Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes aboard the 13-year-old H5 Messentus PS.
Pereira de Menezes wasted no time in making his intentions clear. Matching Jochems for precision while finding crucial fractions around the course, he flew through the finish in 37.43 seconds – taking 0.28 seconds off the Dutchman and putting a formidable new target on the board.
But with combinations still to come, the class was far from decided.
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One by one, the remaining challengers took their shot at the Brazilian’s time, but 37.43 seconds continued to stand. The pressure remained until the final combination crossed the line, confirming Menezes and H5 Messentus PS as the winners of a fiercely fought five-star jump-off.
Jochems and Casquetto van de Helle ultimately had to settle for second, just 0.28 seconds separating the top two, while McAuley and Rossi vd Heffinck completed the podium.
Top Five
Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) & H5 Messentus PS – 0 / 0 / 37.43 sec
Kevin Jochems (NED) & Casquetto van de Helle – 0 / 0 / 37.71 sec
Mark McAuley (IRL) & Rossi vd Heffinck – 0 / 0 / 39.68 sec
Sandra Auffarth (GER) & Comcador OLD – 0 / 0 / 40.85 sec
Clara Pezzoli (ITA) & Hadewyn van’t Ravennest – 0 / 0 / 42.19 sec
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
With five-star action now firmly underway at the Home of Show Jumping, attention turns to the biggest individual contest of the weekend.
The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard takes centre stage tomorrow at 1:45pm, as the world’s best return to the Longines Tops International Arena with valuable Championship points and a coveted LGCT Grand Prix victory on the line.
Don’t miss a moment of the action from Valkenswaard!
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
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.
