Zanotelli Secures Victory in CSI4* G.P at Longines Tops International Arena, Concluding a Thrilling 1st week of Summer Festival
Mdmar – Valkenswaard
The Longines Tops International Arena week 1 of the Summer Festival reached its grand finale with an exhilarating display of equestrian powers in the CSI4* Grand Prix. Brazilian show jumper Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Cornestemerged triumphant, capturing the top spot with a stellar performance in the four-rider jump-off. Zanotelli’s victory marked the crowning achievement of an unforgettable weekend of sport and entertainment.
Mounted on Cornest, Zanotelli navigated the challenging course with finesse, a flawless round that left spectators in awe. His masterful communication propelled him to the top of the leaderboard as last to go in the dramatic jump-off.
The podium was further adorned with exceptional riders, as Egyptian talent Abdel Saïd clinched the second-place position riding Clown of Picobello Z only half a second slower than Zanotelli. Top Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander secured an impressive third place with Corelli de Mies after a foot-perfect double clear.
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Among the contenders, Jack Ryan stood out as the first clear round youngest of the field. Opting for a steady clear as first to go in the jump-off he just slipped off the podium on Wolfsakker Z. Bassem Mohammed, Niels Tacken and Gudrun Patteet all collected a single-time fault in round 1 while world number one Henrik von Eckermann who is normally blistering fast picked up 2 time faults keeping him out of the jump-off today.
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Week one of the Summer Festival at the Longines Tops International Arena drew to a close after an incredible three days that showcased the highest level of equestrian sport, vibrant atmosphere, next-level entertainment and unforgettable moments, the Summer Festival solidified its status as a must-attend event on the equestrian calendar. Longines Tops International Arena now looks ahead to the CSI2*, CSI1* and CSIYH1* next weekend from 14 – 16 July as the Summer Festival continues.
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CSI2*: Grand Prix win for Murphy and Imbeer
As many as 25 combinations qualified for the jump-off in this Grand Prix. It was a big jump-off with a course that presented several difficult lines that cost many a rider their head. Britain’s Robert Murphy won with an awe-inspiringly fast round. He and his 10-year-old Imbeer stopped the clock at 39.31 seconds. A time that proved unmatchable for all the combinations after him. “I am delighted with this win, Imbeer jumped fantastic in this incredible grass arena,” Murphy said after his ride. “These shows at Longines Tops International Arena are brilliant to bring a wide range of horses to with such great facilities. Recently I moved to Belgium to base myself with Jos Lansink so we will coming back for the rest of the summer. And I think it’s great all the extra additions they have made to the venue this year, the atmosphere is fantastic.” Second place went to France’s Pénélope Leprevost with Fantasy de la Roque Z, who crossed the finish line in 39.58 seconds. Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was third with Electro vd Kromsteeg. The fastest round was ridden by Italian Lorenzo de Luca with Violino Il Palazetto, 38.50 seconds, but at the cost of two faults.
Brazilian top rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was the fastest in the competition against the clock with obstacles up to 1.35m. He effortlessly rode to victory with the eight-year-old BWP mare Provence van het Bovenlos in 59.02 seconds. In doing so, he beat Frenchman known for his speed, Julien Epaillard. Epaillard needed almost a second more to clear all obstacles with Carbone de Carva. Dutchman Tom Schellekens came third with Interessant van de Zietfort.
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Young Horses
The young horses had their grand final on Sunday morning in which 40 combinations started. Of these, 17 managed to stay clear in the first round. The jump-off had eight obstacles and had a few difficult lines including the turn between the double and obstacle 6, a vertical. France’s Pénélope Leprevost was the best in this exciting final with her beautiful black gelding Vanquish Z. The 42-year-old rider steered the strongly jumping gelding through the course at a high pace and crossed the finish line in 36.97 seconds. In doing so, she relegated Belgian Gilles Thomas to second place. Thomas also had no problem with the challenges posed by the course and rode his BWP-approved stallion Qannando B&V over the obstacles in 37.36 seconds as a matter of course. Third place went to Norway’s Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Lolita Es. The son of international show jumper Geir Gulliksen needed 37.51 seconds.
The class for five-year-olds was won by Dutch Tom Schellekens and Nala van de Zietfort.
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CSI1* Grand Prix
Romain Potin performed very well the previous days at Longines Tops International Arena and managed to keep his ‘winning mood’ also in this Grand Prix (1.35m). Out of 40 competitors, 12 combinations qualified for the jump-off which remained super exciting until the end. American Veronica Tracey had the lead and the five riders after her could not improve her time. Everyone held their breath when Romain Potin appeared last in the arena, he was a competitor to be reckoned with. And he did what was expected of him. He managed to stay 0.13 seconds under Tracy’s time to win the 1* Grand Prix. He steered Cyrrus des Chaines through the course effortlessly and at a fast pace, stopping the clock at 33.96 seconds. Tracy took second place with the 10-year-old mare Billy Everest. Her compatriot Ella Duffy was third with the seven-year-old stallion Destine to Be with a time of 35.43 seconds.
Piet Raijmakers Jr ensured Dutch success by winning the competition against the clock (1.25m). He did so with a super fast ride in 62.32 seconds with the seven-year-old stallion Marco R. American Campbell Brown came second with Keeper vd Berghoeve The Mexican Emilio Salinas Rodriguez finished in third place with Yorka M.
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Frenchman Romain Potin probably felt he had not won enough yet and added another victory to his list: the 1.15m class. He needed 34.44 seconds to jump the obstacles clear with Brooklynn which was enough for first place. It was the third victory for this combination during the first Summer Event at Longines Tops International Arena. American Campbell Brown came second with Javenia followed by Dutch Marie Schalken with Diamond Lady.
The final competition of this great weekend at Longines Tops International Arena, in which the jump-off was run immediately after a clear round, was won by Briton Joseph Clayton and Kingsborough Kasper. Like yesterday, they were the fastest and Clayton rode the Irish-bred Kannan son across the finish line in 32.17 seconds. There was a nice second place for local rider Piet Raijmakers Jr with Jaloubet. They stopped the clock at 34.09 seconds. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann came third with Capitaine.
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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.
