The Longines Global Future Champions Tour opened in Valkenswaard with a full day of international competition as established senior riders and the sport’s most promising young talents shared the spotlight at the Longines Tops International Arena. Fast rounds, narrow winning margins and several standout performances marked the opening programme, setting an impressive tone for the three-day event.
Longines Global Future Champions Valkenswaard
Dutch rider Mathijs van Asten produced the headline performance by claiming the CSI4* 1.50m Against the Clock class aboard the experienced Hotspot. First among the leading contenders to post a major challenge, Van Asten stopped the clock in 68.71 seconds, one of only a handful of combinations to break the 70-second mark, earning a memorable home victory.
France’s Simon Delestre finished a close second with Golden Boy DK in 69.35 seconds, just 0.64 seconds behind the winner, while Germany’s Marcus Ehning completed the podium aboard Coolio 42 in 69.42 seconds after another polished display.
Dutch success continued with Kevin Jochems taking fourth on Quianna ter Wijnen in 71.36 seconds. Brazil’s João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima guided Obama de la Liniere to fifth in 71.87 seconds, while Frank Schuttert ensured three home riders featured in the top six by steering Gream into sixth place in 72.46 seconds.
The tightly contested class, where only fractions of a second separated the leading combinations, provided an ideal start to the prestigious meeting.
Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon added another notable victory by winning the CSI2* 1.45m speed class from a large field of 82 starters. Riding the Holsteiner mare Little Special in Red M, the 24-year-old produced a blistering clear round in 66.64 seconds to secure top honours.
French rider Laura Klein claimed second aboard Oh Sissi in 67.45 seconds, while American Olympian Laura Kraut completed the podium with Tres Bien Z after stopping the clock in 68.25 seconds.
In the CSI2* Medium Tour, American rider Vani Khosla guided veteran mare Moka Delle Schiave to victory in the 1.25m two-phase competition. A smooth second phase in 28.96 seconds proved enough to deny Brazil’s Yuri Mansur, whose promising partnership with Premier Mystic Rose finished second in 29.11 seconds. Chile’s Maria Ignacia Del Pedregal Villalobos secured third aboard Irish Coffee with a time of 30.03 seconds.
Home supporters had another reason to celebrate when 18-year-old Ilse Vedder claimed her first international two-star victory in the CSI2* Small Tour. Riding Nicole, she produced a faultless second phase in 27.55 seconds to top the standings. France’s Louise Sadran finished second with Vannan, while American rider Alexandra Crown completed the top three aboard Dorothy DH Z.
The Young Riders’ opening contest produced a Belgian one-two finish. Kasper de Boeck emerged victorious after delivering the only fault-free round aboard Nepal S in 72.50 seconds. Helena Beyers was quickest on the clock with Sapphire van Stal Petit Breck but a single rail left her second, while Switzerland’s Thierri Wagner claimed third with Balou’s Bellissimo.
The Junior 1.35m speed class belonged entirely to Dutch youngster Lieselot Kooremans, who occupied the first two places. Riding Nini van HD, she won in 64.15 seconds before securing runner-up honours aboard Eden Jeleena Dr Z in 64.82 seconds. Ireland’s Arielle Allen finished third with Kandice Z.
Spain’s Mar Pérez Fernández also enjoyed a remarkable afternoon by finishing first and second in the Junior 1.20m two-phase special. Guiliguili Nouvolieu delivered the winning round in 28.43 seconds, while her second mount, Carredas, followed home in second. Dutch rider Marie Schalken rounded out the podium aboard Capellini d’SG.
The Children’s 1.20m class saw 13-year-old Pedro Mansur continue his impressive rise with victory aboard Away Semilly. The young rider set the pace in 54.12 seconds, comfortably ahead of Belgium’s Lizi Balancier in second and fellow Belgian Laura Zébier in third.
With elite senior competition running alongside classes for ponies, children, juniors and young riders, the opening day underlined the event’s reputation as one of the leading showcases for the next generation of international show jumping talent. As the competition continues through the weekend, Valkenswaard remains firmly focused on the sport’s future while delivering top-class performances in the present.
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