Khaled Almobty Wins CSI4* Grand Prix on Final Day of Summer Classic at Longines Tops International Arena
The sun was shining on day three at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard. The final day of the Summer Classic was one for the books with thrilling show jumping displays and a lively atmosphere on the Place du Concours.
As the sun warmed up the beautiful grass arena, the crowds turned out for the CSI4* Grand Prix 1.55m. First to go was yesterday’s Grand Prix qualifier winner Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue. Maher started off strong and looked to be on track for a clear, but an unfortunate fault on course dashed the British rider’s hopes of claiming the top spot in this class.
Khaled Almobty of Saudi Arabia, who has already had a strong weekend so far here at the Summer Classic, entered the arena aboard Jaguar King WD, looking relaxed and confident. The pair made quick work of the course, sailing over the grass. Almobty stopped the clock at 78.71 seconds, delivering the first clear round of the class as the crowd cheered for the Saudi Arabian rider.
In the end, Khaled Almobty claimed victory aboard Jaguar King WD, having delivered the fastest times of the class in both rounds and the only clear of the jump off. When asked about his win, Almobty said, “I am very, very happy with this win. I am looking forward to doing the rest of the Summer Festivals here in Valkenswaard. It’s amazing how everything is organized here.” He went on to say, “Today was a special day with winning the 4* Grand Prix with my Jaguar King. This is the last class for us together before we go to Paris. And it ended pretty well. I am looking forward to the rest of the shows with my other horses.”
The tension was palpable as Dutch show jumping icon Harrie Smolders started on course aboard Darry Lou. Sadly it was not Smolders’ day as he fell victim to the challenging course. Despite not qualifying for the jump off, Smolders and Darry Lou were met by cheers from the home crowd as they finished their round. Next up was Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano and Crack Balou. Gaudiano was on the hunt for a win as he raced across the grass aboard the twelve year old stallion. A fault on course knocked the pair out of contention for the jump off. Almobty remained the only clear round of the class.
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Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman was next to go with Cellagon Cascais. Meyer-Zimmerman mastered the challenging course, created by course designer Peter Schumann, making it look easy. The German rider came home clear, delivering the second clear round of the class and ensuring a jump off in this 4* Grand Prix.
Fellow German rider Marcus Ehning entered the arena with his mount DPS Revere. Ehning delivered a stylish round aboard his eleven year old grey gelding. Despite acquiring four faults on course, the pair were met by cheers as they left the arena. France’s Antoine Ermann and Cosmic Star skilfully navigated the arena. Ermann made quick work of the course but took his time as he approached the final fence. His caution paid off as the French rider came home clear.
All eyes then turned to Belgian Gilles Thomas and Elfra van Beek Z. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Thomas navigated the course aboard the ten year old stallion. Despite four faults on course, the Belgian rider finished strong and was met by cheers as he crossed the finish line. Winner of Friday’s Grand Prix qualifier, Rodrigo Pessoa, was next to go on Starman. Pessoa expertly navigated the course aboard the 9 year old chestnut gelding. The Brazilian rider proved once again why he is one of the world’s best as he came home clear, qualifying for the jump off, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Dutch rider Kim Emmen entered the arena aboard Inflame Go. Emmen was on track for a flawless finish as the crowd looked on with baited breath. An unlucky fault on the last fence dashed her hopes of a clear round, as disappointment echoed through the crowd. Fellow Dutch rider Willem Greve took to the arena aboard Grandorado TN N.O.P. Greve and his thirteen year old bay stallion wowed the home crowd as they posted a clear round, securing their spot in the jump off.
Local hero Joy Lammers appeared confident as she entered the arena with her mount Grace Kelly. The pair delivered a smooth round and were on track for a clear round. The disappointment was palpable as she crossed the finish line, acquiring two penalties for time. Despite now qualifying for the jump off, her home crowd cheered as she and Grace Kelly left the area.
The score board went back to zero as the riders prepared for the jump off. First to go was class leader Almobty. The Saudi Arabian rider flew across the grass and stopped the clock at a lightning-fast 36.07 seconds. Next up was Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman. The experienced rider had a good rhythm but acquired an unfortunate four course. Despite this, the German rider’s quick pace earned her second place.
France’s Antoine Ermann looked hopeful but an unfortunate rail on course meant a fourth place finish. Next up was Rodrigo Pessoa and Starman. Pessoa was on the hunt for a win but four faults on course ultimately meant third place for the Brazilian show jumping star. Last to go was Dutch show jumping icon Willem Greve. The home crowd was on the edge of their seats as Greve navigated the course. Despite four faults on course, the Dutch rider had secured a top five finish in Valkenswaard.
The Summer Classic at the Longines Tops International Arena drew to a close after three remarkable days, highlighting elite equestrian sport, a vibrant atmosphere, and unforgettable moments. The Longines Tops International Arena now gears up for the Summer Festival 2 – Summer Showcase happening from July 25 to 28.
CSI1* Young Horse Final 1.30/1.35m
The final day of the Summer Classic at Longines Tops International Arena began with glorious sunshine. The Young Horses came onto the grass first for their Final. Out of 37 starters, 14 combinations stayed clear in the first round and qualified for the jump-off: seven six-year-olds and seven seven-year-olds. Britain’s Matthew Sampson came in first with the six-year-old mare Abril. With a smooth and flowing ride, they set a fast time, 41.88 seconds. Hermano Assis Marin from Brazil also stayed clear but could catch Sampson, setting a time of 43.89 seconds with the six-year-old black mare Saphire v/h Nederveld. The next clear round was delivered by Belgian Koen Vereecke who rode through the course at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, it was just not fast enough. Vereecke crossed the finish line in 42.01 seconds with six-year-old Valentino Boy. It eventually earned them third place. Denmark’s Laura Baaring Kjaergaard got off to a fast start on the seven-year-old grey mare Unlimited and dipped below Sampson’s time but unfortunately this came at the cost of a fault on the very last obstacle. Ireland’s top rider Denis Lynch rode a perfect round but still came up just short of speed. With the seven-year-old black stallion Drive Me Crazy Z, he rushed to the finishing line in 42.48 seconds, taking fourth place. Dutch Joy Lammers took all the risks and went full gallop to the last obstacle. Her daring ride with seven-year-old stallion Heat Wave earned her the win. Even the last starter, world number two Ben Maher, could not change that. “It feels very special to win here with this horse. He was bred and born here in Valkenswaard. He is still partly owned by Jan Tops. Heat Wave gave me a good feeling and is very sharp. I came a bit big to the last one but he did a super job. Out of the 10 rounds he has run in his life so far, at least nine were clear. He is really nice to ride and also has a great canter and a lot of power. He has a lot going for him which really makes this a horse for the future.”
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CSI4* Against the Clock 1.45m
It was a Dutch sweep in the CSI4* Agains the Clock 1.45m class. Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands took the top spot aboard Mr. Tac. The flying Dutchman rode a lightning fast clear round, stopping the clock at 58.29 seconds. Hot on his heels was fellow Dutch rider Kevin Jochems. Jochems delivered a fast round with La Costa but could not quite match the pace of Smolders. Completing the Dutch top three was local hero Joy Lammers. She came home clear aboard First Boy B.B., claiming third place. Rounding out the top five were Denis Lynch of Irelands riding Cornets Iberio and Belgium’s Pieter Devos aboard Primo DV.
CSI2* Medium Tour 1.40m
The CSI2* Medium Tour 1.40 class saw a large field of talented competitors. Many managed to stay clear in their first ride, but it was British rider Matthew Sampson who was unbeatable in this class that counted 50 participants. A great performance from this 33-year-old Valkenswaard resident. He stopped the clock at 35.55 seconds with the KWPN stallion Fabrice DN. Isabella Russekoff finished in second place with her 17-year-old stallion Balou’s Fly High. Matthew Sampson also took third place with Pretty Pi’Que De’Luxe. Sampson will look back on the Summer Festival I with a very satisfied feeling.
CSI1* Against the Clock 1.25m
The CSI1* Against the Clock 1.25m class was won by Sweden’s Ida Svensson and her Italian-bred mare Aplux. The 30-year-old Svensson, who has had this mare under saddle since 2016, crossed the finish line in 54.13 seconds. It is not the first competition she has won. This year, she has already won five classes with this mare. Piet Raijmakers Jr from the Netherlands rode through the course in a time of 54.74 seconds with Van Schijndel’s Hanibal, claming second place. The next places went to Belgian combinations: Yenthe Schrijvers with Just Call Me May (third), Laura Blommaert with Nikita Eindeken Z (fourth) and Sofia Walravens with Princesse HC (fifth).
CSI1* Grand Prix 1.35m
The CSI1* Grand Prix 1.35m produced a great and exciting jump-off. Out of the 46 participants, 13 combinations managed to qualify for this jump-off including four Dutch riders. Kim Emmen rode first and she did so brilliantly. She went around at a brisk pace and stayed clear with the nine-year-old stallion Kaiser DMH in 40.78 seconds. Next was Henk van de Pol who was faster but had a fault with Only You de Kaluri. Dennis Johansson of Sweden rode carefully and stayed clear with Delacroix AS, earning fifth place. Germany’s Gierlich took over the lead with a smooth round in 40.26 seconds with Quelindo. Aniek Diks of the Netherlands made a very good attempt to improve Gierlich’s time, but fell just a little short of speed with her beautiful dark bay gelding Qointreau van’t Hoogeinde: 40.73 seconds. The winner of Friday’s qualifier class did even better. Moo Tamisaft went over the fences at breakneck speed with his agile mare Layla and bettered Gierlich’s time with 39.45 seconds, claiming first place. “My horse is a real fighter,” Tamisaft said afterwards, “In the first round she already fought, but in the jump-off she gave even more. I am really happy, she has now won two classes. I love being able to ride here, it’s the first time for me and I hope to be there next time too.”
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CSI1* Against the Clock with Immediate Jump Off 1.15m
On Friday and Saturday, the CSI1*1* class 1.10/1.15m was won by Lou Potin of France, but today her father Romain took the honours. He was the fastest in the class, where the combinations who stayed clear in their first round rode their jump-off immediately after their clear round. Romain Potin did so with a super nice round with his 13-year-old mare Brooklynn, with whom he has had many successes. Germany’s Christina Gierlich came second with the seven-year-old mare United’s Lady 2, followed by Aniek Diks of the Netherlands, who has also received quite a few first prizes in Valkenswaard, in third place with the grey mare New Star Ad.
CSI2* Small Tour 1.35m
The CSI2* Small Tour 1.35m class was convincingly won by Mexican Enrique Gonzalez. The difference with second-placed Lorenzo de Luca was almost five seconds. The 60-year-old rider already has quite a career behind him, but is clearly not thinking of stopping yet. Among others, he has already won three silver team medals at the Pan-Am Games and an individual bronze medal in 2011. Now in Valkenswaard, he benefited from all his experience and steered the 11-year-old grey stallion H5 Messentus PS to victory in 65.76 seconds. Italian Lorenzo de Luca occupied second place with Carlson with a time of 70.63 seconds. Dutchman Niels Tacken signed for third place with Cabran Totalis Z (77.34).
CSI2* Grand Prix
Course builder Peter Schumacher had created quite a challenge for the jump-off of the 2* Grand Prix 1.45m for which 12 combinations managed to qualify. Only two riders stayed clear and of these, American Natalie Dean was the fastest. Dean clearly had a plan when she entered the arena. The pace was fast, and her feisty mare Dotcom d’Authuit jumped the fences effortlessly. The duo crossed the finish line in 34.62 seconds. “I’ve had her for four years now so I know her well,” said a happy Natalie afterwards. “She feels comfortable at this level. She is a fighter and very fast. So in the jump-off I felt I could win.”
Belgian rider Jordy Van Massenhove took risks and went all out to improve Dean’s time. But his Konita HX came up just a bit short of speed and stopped the clock at 34.99 seconds, good for second place. Third place went to Brazilian Eduardo Pereira De Menezes who was the fastest four-faulter with 35.47 seconds. Coryphians such as Marcus Ehning, Daniel Deusser and Koen Vereecke all had a fault.
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