Zoe Conter and La Una Clinch Victory in CSI4* Grand Prix Presented by Longines
*At the Longines Global Future Champions
presented by Lami-Cell
Mdmar – LTIA – Valkenswaard
A spectacular finale to
an action-packed weekend, the CSI4* Grand Prix presented by Longines
brought the Longines Global Future Champions to a dramatic close in
Valkenswaard. Under bright summer skies, the world’s top athletes took on a
challenging track crafted by Peter Schumacher and his team – one that demanded
precision, scope, and split-second decisions at every turn.
In front of an
enthusiastic crowd, it was Zoe Conter who rose to the occasion, guiding her
long-time partner La Una to a stunning double clear in the jump-off. The pair
stopped the clock in 37.16 seconds to claim the win – met with a wave of cheers
from the grandstand as Zoe was embraced by her support crew, including fiancé
Carlos Hank Guerreiro as well as her trainer and fellow top rider Michael
Duffy.
La Una, the 14-year-old
OS mare by Chacco-Blue out of a For Pleasure dam, was all class. Jumping with
power and rhythm, she reaffirmed her place among the elite and delivered a
crowning moment for Stephex Stables.
*“mdmar” website for horse
races and equestrian News
Zoe’s victory came at the end of a tightly contested jump-off featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. Harrie Smolders and the ultra-consistent Monaco – the renowned 16-year-old gelding by Cassini II x Contender – were just fractions behind, finishing second after a polished, flowing round in 37.51 seconds. Rising Italian talent Giampiero Garofalo claimed third aboard the brilliant 9-year-old Querido van’t Ruytershof, one of the most exciting young horses on the circuit, bred by the esteemed Stal ’t Ruytershof and sired by Mosito van het Hellehof.
The class was a true showcase of international depth and quality. Among the top contenders were home hero Leopold van Asten with VDL Groep Nino du Roton, Austrian rider Gerfried Puck aboard Equitron Naxcel V, and the Dutch Michael Greeve with Coromont, all of whom delivered clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.
The remainder of the top twelve included major names such as Eduardo Menezes, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Gilles Thomas, Ansgar Holtgers Jr, Philipp Weishaupt, and World No. 3 Henrik von Eckermann, adding star power to a fiercely competitive field.
Zoe Conter’s win marked not just a personal triumph, but a statement performance at the highest level – rounding out a weekend that celebrated global show jumping with passion, precision, and world-class sport.
Placings – CSI4* Grand Prix Presented by Longines
1. Zoe Conter (BEL) – La Una
2. Harrie Smolders (NED) – Monaco
3. Giampiero Garofalo (ITA) – Querido van’t Ruytershof
4. Leopold van Asten (NED) – VDL Groep Nino du Roton
5. Gerfried Puck (AUT) – Equitron Naxcel V
6. Michael Greeve (NED) – Coromont
7. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) – Hot N Spicy
8. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) – Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre
9. Gilles Thomas (BEL) – Qiara de Kalvarie
10. Ansgar Holtgers Jr (USA) – Pixel-K van’t Kattenheye11. Philipp Weishaupt (GER) – Kilmister
12. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) – Toveks Azaria Dinero
Watch the full class
replay now on GCTV, and don’t miss your chance to be there for the season
finale – the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, 22-24 August. Get
your tickets today!
Eduardo Pereira De Menezes Steals the Show in Thrilling CSI2* Grand Prix Finale in Valkenswaard
*“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
The CSI2* Grand Prix (1.45m) presented an electrifying conclusion to Sunday’s sport at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard. As the final highlight of the CSI2* division at the Longines Global Future Champions presented by Lami-Cell, the Grand Prix drew a stellar field of 52 starters, including Olympic and World Championship medallists such as Harrie Smolders, Laura Kraut, Daniel Deusser, and Jessica Springsteen.
Course designer Peter Schumacher set a tactically demanding track that required precision, scope, and speed – qualities that only 14 combinations were able to match, advancing to what would become a fiercely contested jump-off.
First to return for the final round was Harrie Smolders aboard the elegant KWPN stallion Jesther (Cardento x Guidam). The Dutchman set an early benchmark with a smooth and efficient clear in 41.25 seconds, which would ultimately land him sixth. Early challengers Ines Joly, Abdel Saïd, and Laura Kraut fell out of contention with jumping faults, clearing the path for the second half of the start list to light up the leaderboard.
*“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
Spanish rider Sergio Alvarez Moya then raised the stakes with a razor-sharp performance aboard the striking 8-year-old Caen (Chacoon Blue x Clintissimo Z). His time of 38.89 seconds made him the first to dip under the 39-second barrier, igniting hopes of a win for Spain. But those hopes were soon tested by Belgian star Jérôme Guery, who guided Haquinsa (Sandro Boy x Quintero) to a flawless round in 39.21 seconds, sliding just behind Moya into second.
It all came down to the final rider: Eduardo Pereira De Menezes of Brazil. Aboard the talented 9-year-old H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z (Kassander van ’t Roosakker x For Pleasure), the seasoned rider threw caution to the wind. Executing daring lines and tight turns, De Menezes stopped the clock at a blazing 38.70 seconds, clinching the win and sending the Brazilian camp into celebration.
The top six placings featured a blend of experience and rising talent:
Placed Competitors – CSI2 Grand Prix (1.45m)*
- Eduardo Pereira De Menezes (BRA) – H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z
- Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) – Caen
- Jérôme Guery (BEL) – Haquinsa
- Daniel Deusser (GER) – Kaduna JL Z
- Thalessa de Jong (NED) – Karan-K van’t Kattenheye Z
- Harrie Smolders (NED) – Jest
*“mdmar” website for horse races 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.
