A spectacular finale to an action-packed weekend, the CSI4* Grand Prix 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 (Chacco-Blue x For pleasure) 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.
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.
