The opening day of the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase brought together some of the world’s leading show jumping combinations as riders competed across multiple classes in Valkenswaard. The first day of action featured a strong international line-up, with experienced champions and emerging talents producing fast, precise performances across the arena.
Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase results
The CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier provided the main attraction, where Germany’s Daniel Deusser guided Bingo Ste Hermelle to victory after producing the fastest clear round of the competition.
Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase opened with a high-quality international field featuring riders from across Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East.
Deusser stopped the clock at 60.00 seconds, becoming one of only a few riders to complete the course inside the 62-second mark. His efficient performance with Bingo Ste Hermelle proved enough to secure the top position in a closely fought contest.
Germany’s Sophie Hinners continued her strong run of form by finishing second with Iron Dames Kaleni Jo. The pair produced a faultless round in 61.75 seconds, while Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya claimed third place aboard Quadrado after completing the course clear in 61.92 seconds.
French rider Simon Delestre made a notable return to international competition following his injury break, finishing fourth with Golden Boy DK. Dutch competitor Mathijs van Asten completed the top five with Hotspot in 62.34 seconds.
The opening CSI4* class showcased the depth of talent competing at the Valkenswaard venue, with the leading riders separated by only a narrow margin.
In the Big Tour against the clock competition, Belgium’s Koen Vereecke produced the winning performance among a field of 45 combinations. Eighteen riders completed clear rounds, but Vereecke’s pace aboard Riverflow van’t Ruytershof proved decisive.
The Belgian rider crossed the finish line in 64.55 seconds to take first place. Dutch rider Kevin Jochems finished second after recording 65.39 seconds with Enola Gay of Two Notes Z, while Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga completed the podium with DMS Enkidu in 65.70 seconds.
The CSI2* Small Tour 1.35m two-phase competition saw Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi set the winning mark early in the class. Riding Caletto Cabana, the experienced combination delivered a clear second phase in 30.96 seconds, a time that remained unbeaten throughout the competition.
American rider Madison Wu finished second with Corona Z after stopping the clock at 31.49 seconds, while Ireland’s Gavin Harley secured third place aboard Gandhy de Nantuel with a time of 31.81 seconds. Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen placed fourth with King Blue.
South African rider Oliver Lazarus claimed victory in the CSI2* Medium Tour two-phase class. Competing against 88 combinations, Lazarus and Jansen recorded the fastest faultless time of 23.86 seconds.
Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa produced a strong performance to finish second with Giorgio d’Ellipse in 24.16 seconds, while Belgium’s Helena Beyers completed the top three with Sapphire van Stal Petit Breck.
The CSI1* classes also produced competitive contests throughout the day. American rider Alexandra Crown topped the 1.30m against-the-clock competition with Starlett after recording a clear round in 55.67 seconds. Dutch riders Tamara Klop and Niels Berkvens finished second and third respectively.
In the CSI1* 1.20m two-phase class, Canadian rider Sara Rothstein secured her first international victory after posting a winning time of 26.61 seconds aboard Cotes de Provenc. Dutch rider Tim ten Berg finished second with Donna Libera, while Germany’s Franziska Bockhorn took third with Derrick 122.
The CSI1* 1.10m two-phase special competition was won by Dutch rider Rosanne Janssen, who produced a clear round in 28.42 seconds with Larizona. Hungary’s Nóra Jázmin Nagy finished second with Orite 2, followed by Italy’s Paolo Bussu aboard Z7 Caretina.
The Young Horses competition completed the opening day programme, with Brazilian rider Felipe Amaral taking the top position. Riding the seven-year-old Ega van de Hoek Z, Amaral delivered a faultless two-phase performance in 29.28 seconds.
Spain’s Jose Fumero Hernandez finished second with Diamant de Chalina, while French rider Robinson Maupiler claimed third place with Opaline.
The opening day highlighted the strength and international appeal of the Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase, with established names and rising riders setting the stage for further top-class action during the weekend.
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