Rodrigo Pessoa produced a masterclass of experience and precision to capture the CSI4* Grand Prix at the Longines Tops International Arena, bringing the opening Summer Classic in Valkenswaard to a memorable conclusion on Sunday. In front of packed terraces and a lively crowd, the Brazilian legend timed his challenge to perfection, delivering the fastest clear jump-off round to secure the feature title after an afternoon of high-quality international competition.
Valkenswaard CSI4* Grand Prix
After a demanding first round designed by course builder Louis Konickx, only five combinations returned for the decisive jump-off. Riding Major Tom, Pessoa was the last competitor into the arena and responded with two immaculate rounds, stopping the clock in a winning time of 43.99 seconds.
Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga finished a close second aboard Contendros 2 after another faultless effort in 45.60 seconds, while Germany’s Daniel Deusser completed the podium with Pepita van T Meulenhof BR in 45.85 seconds.
Britain’s Sienna Charles continued her consistent weekend by finishing fourth aboard Chawton with a clear jump-off in 48.10 seconds. Jessica Springsteen claimed fifth on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve after another double clear, while France’s Nina Mallevaey narrowly missed the podium when a single rail in the jump-off left her sixth despite recording one of the quicker times.
Australia’s Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara Wat Colblensky finished seventh after collecting a lone time fault in the opening round. South Africa’s Charlie Bays took eighth aboard Ninety Stone Pullman, while American rider Marilyn Little and Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf completed the top ten.
The CSI4* Grand Prix once again demonstrated the remarkable depth of international talent assembled in Valkenswaard. Several leading riders came within a single mistake of reaching the jump-off, including Harrie Smolders aboard Mr. Tac, Willem Greve with Party In de Hus and Edwina Tops-Alexander on Fellow Castlefield. Belgium’s Emilie Conter and Anastasia Nielsen also finished on four faults, while Harry Charles’ bid for a third major victory of the weekend ended in disappointment after Fighting Phil was eliminated.
Away from the arena, the Summer Classic attracted visitors with hospitality, live entertainment, shopping and family activities, reinforcing Valkenswaard’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading show jumping destinations. The successful opening event now gives way to the Summer Showcase, scheduled for 24-26 July.
The supporting CSI2* Grand Prix also produced an impressive display. Belgium’s Zoe Hank Conter led from the front after producing a flawless jump-off aboard Loui LN in 38.12 seconds, a benchmark that none of the remaining riders could surpass.
Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf finished second aboard Qwando van de Rispen in 38.72 seconds, while Dutch star Harrie Smolders secured third with For Chacco TN in 39.18 seconds.
Several contenders came close to overturning Conter’s advantage. Eduardo Pereira de Menezes recorded the quickest time aboard S’Oneill van’t Zijp but incurred a costly fault, while Friday’s qualifier winner Denis Lynch also dropped a rail to miss out on victory.
Earlier in the day, Irish rider Ciaran Nallon claimed the CSI2* Medium Tour aboard Little Special in Red M, edging Leopold van Asten into second, while Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat completed the podium.
Australia’s Georgina Harvey Lazarus rounded off the CSI2* Small Tour with victory aboard Butterfly Ennemmel. Britain’s Gemma Wright finished second and Oliver Lazarus secured third, giving the Valkenswaard-based partnership a memorable finish to the weekend.
The CSI1* Grand Prix belonged to Mexico’s Xaviera Maurer Buch, who produced a lightning-fast clear aboard Chactensky PS to defeat Oliver Lazarus and Meg O’Mara after nine riders reached the jump-off.
Among the younger competitors, Dutch prodigy Tim ten Berg impressed by winning the CSI1* 1.25m class before adding second place in the 1.15m competition, which was won by Hungary’s 16-year-old Nóra Jázmin Nagy.
The Young Horses Final provided another showcase for emerging talent as Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen partnered Master of Paradise 3 to victory with the quickest clear jump-off. France’s Olivier Perreau finished second, while Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen completed the podium.
With elite riders, promising young horses and strong international participation throughout the programme, the opening Summer Classic delivered an impressive start to the 2026 season in Valkenswaard.
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