Zoe Conter and La Una: Precision, Passion, Perfection
The grand finale of the weekend unfolded under clear summer skies, with Peter Schumacher’s technical course demanding every ounce of concentration and skill. Against a high-caliber field of international stars, Zoe Conter held her nerve in a pressure-packed jump-off, outpacing top contenders like Harrie Smolders and Giampiero Garofalo.
La Una, the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare by Chacco-Blue out of a For Pleasure dam, looked every inch the seasoned campaigner, fluid over the oxers, efficient through the combinations, and electric on the clock. For Zoe, it was a poignant moment, celebrated with her fiancé Carlos Hank Guerreiro and Stephex teammate Michael Duffy waiting ringside.
Elite Contenders Bring Firepower to the Jump-Off
Smolders, riding the veteran Monaco (Cassini II x Contender), came close with a swift 37.51-second round to take second. Garofalo followed with a breakout performance aboard the 9-year-old Querido van’t Ruytershof a Mosito van het Hellehof progeny bred by the revered Stal ’t Ruytershof, claiming third in 38.12 seconds.
Rounding out the jump-off were respected names like Leopold van Asten (VDL Groep Nino du Roton), Gerfried Puck (Equitron Naxcel V), and Michael Greeve (Coromont), each producing polished clear rounds to qualify among the elite twelve.
Notably, the CSI4* roster also featured Olympic-caliber riders, Henrik von Eckermann, Philipp Weishaupt, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, and Gilles Thomas, a testament to the high standards at Valkenswaard.
Eduardo Menezes Sprints to CSI2* Grand Prix Glory
While Zoe Conter’s victory headlined the top tier, it was Eduardo Pereira De Menezes who stole the CSI2* spotlight. Piloting the agile 9-year-old H5 Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z (Kassander van ’t Roosakker x For Pleasure), the Brazilian delivered a bold, calculated ride to claim the 1.45m Grand Prix in 38.70 seconds, overtaking Sergio Alvarez Moya’s impressive mark just moments earlier.
The Longines Tops International Arena once again delivered a testing but fair course, with 14 out of 52 entries making it to the jump-off. Smolders, Kraut, Saïd, and Springsteen were among the early challengers, but it was the late runners who shook up the leaderboard.
Moya’s ride on the 8-year-old Caen (Chacoon Blue x Clintissimo Z) was smooth and fast at 38.89 seconds. Belgium’s Jérôme Guery also impressed with Haquinsa, finishing third in 39.21 seconds, as young talents and established names battled on equal footing.
Lieselot Kooremans Rules the Youth Divisions
Among the sport’s rising stars, none shone brighter than Lieselot Kooremans (NED). The 13-year-old sensation won both the Children’s Grand Prix and the Pony Grand Prix, showing maturity beyond her years.
In the Children’s Grand Prix (1.25m), she guided Nini van HD (I’m Special de Muze x Elvis ter Putte) to a 32.48-second jump-off that proved untouchable. Tim ten Berg and Mhya Wilson Mille completed the podium, both showcasing promising talent for the future.
Kooremans returned to the spotlight in the 1.30m Pony Grand Prix aboard Elando van de Roshoeve, once again setting an early pace that no one could catch. Elise van Regenmortel took second with Troubadour Optimus, while Britain’s Ruby Payne settled for third.
British Riders Claim Pony Division Victories
The final pony classes against the clock saw standout British performances. Abigail Wicks won the 1.10m class with Korado, while Luluwa von Büren clinched the 1.15m with a masterful round.
As the curtain fell on Valkenswaard, Zoe Conter’s CSI4* triumph and Kooremans’ youthful dominance stood as defining moments, underscoring both the depth and future of global show jumping.
For more stories from Valkenswaard and top-level show jumping, explore our international coverage and stay tuned to RaceBuzz for the latest in equestrian sport.
