22 January '25
Credibilis van het Lindenhof Z wins the CSI2* Grand Prix of Oliva
© MET - Hervé Bonnaud
Last week saw the start of a new edition of the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain, with no less than 12 weeks of international showjumping on the programme over the next few months. The opening week of this Spring Tour 2025 started very promising for our blue/yellow colours, with several Z-horses jumping into the limelight and also securing some resounding victories.
The leading role during this first week in Oliva was undoubtedly reserved for the 11-year-old mare Credibilis van het Lindenhof Z, a daughter of Crown Z and Landetto from the breeding farm of Luc Van De Vijver. Credibilis van het Lindenhof Z has only recently formed a combination with Belgian rider Niels Bruynseels, but the two already seem completely at ease in that short time. After Bruynseels and Cridibilis van het Lindenhof Z immediately started their competition well on Thursday with a 4th place in the Gold 1.45m class, they really came under pressure on Sunday with a win in the CSI2* Grand Prix. They were then one of the eight combinations that managed to clear the 1.45m high basic round run by arena builder Santiago Varela to secure a place in the jump-off. As the very last combination, the duo once again managed to ensure a flawless round and with a finishing time of 39.48 seconds, they outclassed the rest of the field of competitors.
Niels Bruynseels: "It was a tricky, delicate course and especially the last line was not that easy. I was very pleased with how my horse jumped and before the jump-off I knew she is naturally very fast. With only eight combinations in the jump-off and starting last, I knew I was in control. I bought Credibilis when she was six because she has the same mother as Delux Van T&L. She is not the easiest horse, because she has a lot of character. But she jumps really great! Initially, I gave her to Jorik Vervoort to ride and he has trained her very well so far. I took her over last month and this is actually only the third competition I have done with her."
Earlier on Sunday, the Gold 1.40m class also got a Z horse at the top of the leaderboard thanks to British rider Adrian Speight and the 10-year-old chestnut gelding C Rouet du Darco Z, a son of Cidane and Baloubet du Rouet bred by Ronnie and Petra Claessens. Speight and C Rouet du Darco Z nicely managed to keep all the bars in the scoops in both the1st and2nd, crossing the finish line in 30.31 seconds.
Italian rider Lorenzo de Luca also managed to secure a victory with the also 10-year-old mare Aphrodite Van Spalbeek Z, a breeding product of Frans Liefsoens who combined the blood of Atomic Z with that of Flamenco de Semilly. In the Gold 1.45m class on Thursday, de Luca and Aphrodite Van Spalbeek Z sped to the finish in 68.63 seconds, giving them a lead of 6 hundredths of a second over the competition.
Also in this Gold 1.45m class on Thursday was a podium place for French rider Olivier Perreau with the 11-year-old gelding Calypso des Joanins Z, a son of Clearway and Chellano bred by Stephane Monier. Perreau and Calypso des Joanins Z were also unblemished in this speed class and their finishing time of 69.44 seconds earned them 3rd place in the standings. A day later, the duo also confirmed this good performance by securing another 3rd place in the Gold 1.40m class.
Finally, there were also two placings for Belgian rider Virginie Thonon and the 9-year-old mare Scala du Piedroux Z, a daughter of Silver Deux de Virton HDC and Crown Z bred by Martin Pierrine. Thonon and Scala du Piedroux Z jumped a first in the spotlight on Thursday with a 5th place in the Gold 1.40m class and on Sunday they closed their competition with a 6th place in another Gold 1.40m class.