The 'Sire of the World' competition, a showcase of exceptional stallions and their riders, brought together top equestrian talent from around the globe. The event featured a thrilling jump-off that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. We caught up with the top three who shared their experiences and insights on this prestigious competition.
Denis Lynch: A Victory That Speaks Volumes
For Denis Lynch, the victory in 'Sire of the World' held immense significance, not only for his career but also for his stallion, Cornets Iberio. Lynch had been working with Cornets Iberio since the horse was just five years old, and their strong partnership was evident in their flawless performance.
Lynch shared insights about the first round, stating, "The horse has a lot of experience. My job is to bring him in a good position to the fence, and his job is to leave the poles up, and he's very good at that." He also praised the course, describing it as "nice and straightforward" having no major issues with it.
When asked about Cornets Iberio's top quality, Lynch simply stated, "He always wins. If you look at his record, wherever we take him, he wins. In whatever gear you put him, he stays in. He has an incredible mentality." Lynch had to step up a gear in the jump-off, fully aware of the competition, "I've seen Gilles and his horse in the Global so I know it's a fast horse."
"As a sire he has done some breeding when he was younger and wasn’t used so much in the last years so maybe this victory will promote him again. He’s a real fighter.”
Gilles Thomas: Feromas, a Consistent Contender
Gilles Thomas, nearly a perennial presence on the podium, shared his thoughts on his impressive second-place finish with Feromas van Beek Z. He explained how Feromas consistently shines, stating, "Two years ago we were third, last year fourth, and this year second. It shows how competitive Feromas is and how many clear rounds he produces. He is getting better and better every year and is gaining more experience in these shows."
Thomas made a valiant effort to challenge the leader but fell short, admitting, "I tried really hard to beat Denis today, but we weren't fast enough." As a Belgian rider and hailing from a family of breeders, he emphasized the importance of this competition, saying, "This competition is a great opportunity to show our stallions and put them a bit more in the spotlight. These horses travel around the world, so for breeders and owners, it's not easy to see them live in action. Here they can watch them in the warm-up, get close to them, and I think that's just amazing."
Highlighting the fantastic atmosphere at the event, Thomas added, "There's always a lot of people showing up here. Also during the jump-off, there was a very nice atmosphere."
Jens Vandenberk: Faldiano Proves Age is Just a Number
Jens Vandenberk, a familiar face at the 'Sire of the World' press conference, expressed his delight at returning to the competition. His equine partner, the remarkable Faldiano, stands at the ripe age of 18 but still jumps like a superstar. The duo delivered an impressive performance, securing third place with just a slight margin behind the winner.
When asked about his secret to managing a horse in its senior years, Vandenberk replied, "He still feels really fit, and as long as I have this feeling, I will keep going with him." Clearly, their strong bond and Faldiano's enduring spirit played a pivotal role in their success.
Reflecting on their strategy, Vandenberk revealed, "The last two competitions we did together were a little bit smaller classes. These two easy shows gave him confidence to be on his best form here." As for the future, he remained open-ended, stating, "At the moment, we don't really have something planned for him. It all depends on the feeling, it could all change tomorrow."
Despite finishing slightly behind the top two riders, Vandenberk was content with his performance, acknowledging the formidable competition, "I knew I wasn't going to be faster than these two riders. So I'm very happy with my third place."
