The Zangersheide International 2025 has come to an end! For five days, Sentower Park in Opglabbeek was once again dedicated to a unique mix of top-level sport and breeding. Riders, breeders, and many horse enthusiasts gathered for an event full of passion and spectacle. On the final day, the highlight was, of course, this afternoon's CSI4* Grand Prix, where the large audience was once again treated to a breathtaking finale.
A total of 49 combinations qualified for this 1.55m high event, for which British course designer Rafael Suarez and his team once again created a beautiful track. Faults occurred everywhere, and in the end, only eight combinations managed to complete the course successfully. In the decisive jump-off, the Dutch riders dominated once again, with Frank Schuttert at the top of the leaderboard! He saddled the 12-year-old mare Isis (Cardento VDL x Lupicor) for this CSI4* Grand Prix and delivered a thrilling jump-off round. As the fourth combination to start, Schuttert and Isis left no room for error, crossing the finish line in 34.61 seconds, making the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus, resonate through Sentower Park once again!
But the other podium places also went to the Netherlands, with Harrie Smolders taking second place aboard the 10-year-old gelding Kaspar R (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Baloubet du Rouet). Smolders and Kaspar R entered the ring just after Schuttert and Isis, giving it their all to claim the Grand Prix title. However, they crossed the finish line in 34.79 seconds, falling just 0.18 seconds short of dethroning Schuttert.