The second day of the Summer Showcase at Longines Tops International Arena brought another full programme of international showjumping, with elite riders producing a series of high-quality performances across every level. From the CSI4* Grand Prix qualifier to the young horse classes, fine margins and fast rounds shaped a memorable day’s sport as competitors strengthened their preparations for Sunday’s feature event.
Longines Tops International Arena Summer Showcase results.
The headline event was the CSI4* 1.50m Against the Clock qualifier, where qualification for Sunday’s CSI4* Grand Prix was at stake. Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha delivered the quickest faultless round aboard Dinozo Imperio Egipcio, stopping the clock in 67.69 seconds to edge a fiercely competitive contest.
Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts came within touching distance of victory on Rolex ter Leydonck, finishing just 0.04 seconds behind in 67.73 seconds. France’s Simon Delestre, continuing his return to top-level competition, guided Gatsby du Tillard into third in 69.47 seconds, while Germany’s Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo followed only a tenth of a second later in fourth.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi partnered Lorenzo ES into fifth, with Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen delighting the home supporters by taking sixth aboard Os le Petit Cheval. A succession of clear rounds and remarkably small time differences reflected the exceptional depth of the field heading into the weekend’s Grand Prix.
The CSI2* 1.45m Big Tour produced another thrilling finish as American rider Karl Cook timed his challenge perfectly. Riding the Swedish Warmblood mare Candy, Cook recorded the fastest clear round of the class in 56.27 seconds, denying the rest of a strong 73-horse field.
Stephan de Freitas Barcha continued his impressive weekend by claiming second aboard Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio in 58.23 seconds, while Germany’s Sophie Hinners secured third with SMA Disney in 59.90 seconds. Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen added another strong result by finishing fourth on Confidance.
Belgium’s Koen Vereecke opened Saturday’s competition in style by winning the CSI2* 1.40m Medium Tour, staged under an immediate jump-off format. Riding Oilily de Muze, Vereecke posted an unbeatable 32.87 seconds after producing two faultless rounds.
Brazilian legend Rodrigo Pessoa finished second aboard DSP Oganero P in 33.97 seconds, narrowly ahead of Austria’s Max Kühner, who completed the podium with Commissar Pezi in 33.99 seconds. Dutch Olympic medallist Maikel van der Vleuten earned the best home result by placing fifth with Nisther K.
Home rider Henk van de Pol claimed victory in the CSI2* Small Tour after an outstanding jump-off performance. Partnering No Fathers Girl, the experienced Dutchman stopped the clock in 35.48 seconds, comfortably securing top honours.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi finished second aboard Kandide Chavannaise in 36.82 seconds, while American rider Madison Wu guided Impian D into third with a clear effort in 38.27 seconds.
Mexico celebrated success in the CSI1* 1.35m speed class through Martina Franco Stephan, whose polished ride aboard Ecuador de Beaufour produced the winning time of 58.25 seconds. Italy’s Rebecca Schiaratura finished second with Casalla Destiny’s Z, while Austria’s Max Kühner added another podium finish by taking third on Chagrandina PS.
British rider Tess Carmichael emerged on top in the CSI1* 1.25m immediate jump-off aboard Bangle SR, clocking 33.63 seconds. Dutch riders Rosanne Janssen and Siebe Leemans completed the podium after finishing second and third respectively with Janeiro VHL and Osinaa Black.
Canada’s Sara Rothstein continued her excellent run by securing back-to-back victories, this time taking the CSI1* 1.15m class aboard OS Bourgogne Rouge in 61.45 seconds. Hungary’s Nóra Jázmin Nagy once again finished runner-up with Orite 2, while American Dylan Clark claimed third riding Nevado de Toluca.
The Young Horses class also produced a repeat winner as Brazil’s Felipe Amaral and Ega van de Hoek Z followed Friday’s success with another commanding performance. Their winning time of 65.54 seconds was more than a second quicker than American rider Caelinn Leahy aboard My Secret Z, while Koen Vereecke completed the top three with the six-year-old P, who also emerged as the leading horse of his age division.
With qualification races complete and several riders carrying excellent form, attention now shifts to Sunday’s CSI4* Grand Prix, where many of the weekend’s standout combinations will bid to convert their consistency into the Summer Showcase’s biggest prize.
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