Belgium rules the day in Valkenswaard.

Four BWP-bred horses were in the top three of the Young Horses classes, but it was Zangersheide that delivered the winner in the seven-year-old division. The gelding Homer van T&L Z (Houston x Voltaire) has been under the saddle of Dutch rider Gerrit Veenstra and he describes him as “very cool”. Veenstra was very happy with the course, “it was a great opening course, the horses were able to jump the course very smoothly.” Veenstra is trained by Alwin Duive and “he especially taught me all about managing horses. ”Runner-up was Ireland’s Tom Slattery, who won the six-year-olds class earlier today. In this class he saddled Haufom (KWPN, Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Hamlet), with whom he won two classes in the six-year-old division last year. The USA’s Olympic rider Laura Kraut finished third with Goldwin (BWP, Emerald x Understone van de Kapel).

As already mentioned it was Tom Slattery who won the class for six-year-olds with the KWPN mare Iris (Starpower x Larino). The experienced Irishman, who worked, among others, as coach of the Irish pony riders both jumping and eventing, works for Manton Grange Stables since September 2015. Tom bought Iris, as well as Ici, with whom he finished fifth, at the Dutch Sport Horse Sales last year. “She is a real good horse, careful with a natural speed, but still a bit inexperienced in the arena. However, she is still young and she will gradually get more experience.” Britain’s Pippa Goddard finished runner-up with Nero van de Kwade Heyde (BWP, Echo van ‘t Spieveld x Lux Z). Germany’s top rider Christian Ahlmann took third place with Nachito v.d. Ketse (BWP, Quality Time x Baloubet du Rouet).

Belgium’s Caroline De Laet won the five-year-old division with her BWP mare Ola Kala de Regor (Darco x Cento). It was for the mare’s owner, Patrick De Roeck, the second win in an opening class. Last week Gregory Wathelet won with Melia de Regor. De Laet runs, together with her partner Tom Van de Vijver a training and dealing stable for young horses. “I love to train young horses, it is so rewarding, to educate the young horses and to see them develop.” Ukrainian Nikita Mansur finished runner-up with his stallion Lastik PKZ followed by Germany’s Alexander Hufenstuhl and Compadre (WESTF, Comme Il Faut x Ferragamo).