27 December '24
Camille du Maillet Z wins final of free jumping for 2-year-olds
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Studbook
© Temps de Poses
As usual, the Nekkerhal in Mechelen is once again the venue for Jumping Mechelen, one of the absolute highlights of Belgian equestrian sport. The second day of the show is traditionally dedicated to breeding with the final of the free jumping for 2-year-old horses, the stallion classes for the 6- and 7-year-olds and, as icing on the cake, the Léon Melchior Prize, the famous Zangersheide Sires Of The World.
This 'Zangersheide Day' kicked off this morning at the New Year Arena with the final of the free jumping for 2-year-old horses. In it, 36 horses, selected during the semi-finals earlier this month in Lier, made their appearance in the ring. They were judged by Carlos Pinto and Vincent Lambrechts in percentage terms on their technique and gallop, the average of these two points then gave the final score.
Victory went to the mare Camille du Maillet Z, a daughter of Chacco Blue and Berlin bred by Elevage du Maillet. Camille du Maillet Z's dam is the Grand Prix mare Berline du Maillet Z, who we previously knew under the saddle of Gregory Wathelet and has been a combination with French rider Laurent Thirion since last summer. Camille du Maillet Z received a score of 92 for technique and 90 for canter. With a final total of 91 points, she was thus narrowly crowned the winner.
But the other 'podium places' were also taken by Z-horses. Thus2nd place went to chestnut stallion Aperol JL Z, with the letters JL referring to breeder Jos Lansink. Aperol JL Z is a son of Zangersheide icon Aganix du Seigneur Z crossed with Nabab de Rêve and is a grandson of none other than Ta Belle van Sombeke (Chin Chin). Aperol JL Z managed to impress especially with his canter, for which he was awarded the highest score with 92 points. For technique, he was assessed with 89 points, which eventually gave him a total of 90.5 points.
3rd place during this denouement for 2-year-old horses went to the mare Emma De Zélande Z, a breeding product of Christiaan van de Plasse who combined the blood of Emerald van 't Ruytershof with that of Cornet Obolensky. Emma De Zélande Z finished with a score of 89 points, receiving 88 for her technique and 90 for canter.