Electric opening day of Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival Week 2

Mdmar – Valkenswaard

The Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival Week 2 kicked off today in Valkenswaard, marking the beginning of an exhilarating week filled with world-class equestrian competition. Eager spectators, top riders, and renowned horses gathered at the Longines Tops International Arena, setting the stage for a thrilling display of sporting prowess.

The opening day of the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival Week 2 lived up to its reputation. The atmosphere was electric as spectators were treated to an unforgettable display of the exhilarating competitions.

In addition to the thrilling competitions, the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival Week 2 also provided an opportunity for spectators to explore a vibrant marketplace featuring a variety of products and services. From bespoke riding gear to exquisite equine artwork, attendees were immersed in a world of equestrian luxury, innovation and entertainment.

The Longines Tops International Arena Summer Festival Week 2 will continue over the coming days, promising a spectacular lineup of events and competitions. Spectators can expect to witness breathtaking displays of horsemanship, where riders and horses will push the boundaries of athleticism and finesse.

The qualification for Sunday’s Grand Prix, a Two-Phases competition with obstacles up to 1.45m, was won by Ruben Romp with the 11-year-old mare Hanouk V. The 32-year-old rider from Goirle in Brabant rode two nice clear phases in 29.36 seconds. Ruben took part in three European Championships: in 2008 in the Juniors and in 2009 and 2010 in the Young Riders. Second place went to Belgium’s Ann Carton-Grootjans with Nox Blue van de Hertogen and Felix Hassmann with Caspian GD came third with a time of 30.53 seconds.

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Straight after winning a 1* competition, Dutchman Siebe Leemans continued his win streak. This time in the 2* Two Phases class (1.40m) for which he had saddled the KWPN gelding Kobalt. They delivered a superb clear round in 29.26 seconds. Ireland’s Tara Glynn came second with Inschalla C Z as the 24-year-old crossed the finish line in 30.38 seconds. Dutch rider Wout-Jan van der Schans came third with the AES mare A.S. Damascene with a time of 30.44 seconds.

In the Two-Phases (1.35m), the last competition on Friday, Dutchman Siebe Leemans scored a hat-trick. He was at the front of the prize-giving ceremony no fewer than three times today. He managed to win this class with the eight-year-old KWPN mare Karamella. With a super fast time of 27.48 seconds, he relegated Mexican Eduardo Sanchez Navarro, who was in the lead from the start, to second place. Sanchez Navarro rode the gelding Lorenzo across the finish line in 28.71 seconds. Bert Jan van de Pol came third with Harvey. He was just 0.08 seconds slower than the Mexican.

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Young Horses

The Young Horses were the first to start in the perfect grass arena at Longines Tops International Arena during Summer Event II. Romain Potin, like last weekend, seemed unbeatable. The 35-year-old Frenchman from Longuenesse finished in both first and second place in this two-phases competition (1.30/1.35m). Potin had the fastest round with seven-year-old Quinta Zwartepannenhof in a time of 31.09 seconds. With the seven-year-old BWP mare Quinta D, he needed a little more time: 31.38 seconds. Jacqueline Lai from Hong Kong finished in third place with Pedrosa 26 Z.

In the five-year-olds, 12 combinations competed and 16-year-old Daan Adams rode a neat round with talented KWPN stallion Nizam S to finish in first place.

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The Two-Phases with obstacles up to 1.35m was the opening competition for the 1* combinations in the sand arena. This class had 62 participants and it was the Dutchman who took over the lead from Belgium’s Elke Appeltans as the 55th starter. The 17-year-old Leemans rode the eight-year-old stallion Gem vd Riloo Z in this class and stopped the clock at 28.47 seconds. A great victory for this rider from Oost, West Middelbeers, who won team silver and individual bronze at the 2021 European Pony Championships and team bronze in 2022. Elke Appeltans’ time was good enough for second place. The 25-year-old rider crossed the finish line in 29.26 seconds with the KWPN mare Falve. Eugenio Garza Perez from Mexico came third with Prince Malko M with a time of 29.67 seconds.

Last weekend she managed two first places and two second places and today she was successful again in the Two-Phases class (1.20m). This time, the 16-year-old American had saddled her horse Homey and the duo crossed the finish line clear in 38.25 seconds. Second place went to Clotilde Rouze who went clear in 38.98 seconds with her SF stallion Cyrrus des Chaines. Third place went to her compatriot Romy Orfait with Byzance de Menge.

“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

Belgian rider Jan Boyen has been performing well in recent months with his 14-year-old KWPN gelding Espresso VK. They managed to score several victories in Bonheiden, Opglabbeek and Lummen, among others. Today he was at the front of the prizegiving ceremony at Longines Tops International Arena. Halfway through the competition, he took over the lead from the Dutch Teddy van de Rijt and Aragorn. The 53-year-old rider from Dilsen stopped the clock at 36.16 seconds. Dutch Rosanne Janssen made another very good attempt with the eight-year-old mare Caprice KZ but fell just short, finishing in second place in a time of 36.79 seconds.

 “mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News

The “Mdmar” website 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.