Feromas van Beek Z wins the CSI2* GP of Bonheiden

For the second week in a row, international show jumping took place domestically last weekend at the Equestrian Centre of Jumping Bonheiden, where the CSI2* GP was already on the programme on Saturday evening, just like the week before. In it, the victory went to reigning Belgian Champion Gilles Thomas and the 12-year-old black stallion Feromas Van Beek Z, the son of Fantomas de Muze and Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve who was bred by Guido Herrijgers and with Thomas also managed to finish^2nd at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Shanghai earlier this month. Thomas and Feromas Van Beek Z started their competition in Bonheiden with a ^4th place during the 1.45m Longines Ranking Test on Friday and during the CSI2* GP they were one of the 8 combinations who managed to advance to the jump-off. In it, they again ensured flawless performance and with a finishing time of 37.30 seconds, they were almost a full second ahead of the competition.

But^2nd place during this highlight of the weekend also got a blue/yellow touch thanks to Brazilian rider Thiago Ribas Da Costa and the 14-year-old chestnut mare Kassandra Van 't Heike, an offspring of our chestnut stallion Epleaser Van 't Heike Z from the breeding farm of Karel Boonen. Ribas Da Costa and Kassandra Van 't Heike were also clear in the jump-off, but needed 38.17 seconds to reach the finishing line.

Another combination that managed to jump into the spotlight in Bonheiden was British rider Alexander McLean with the 13-year-old stallion Eagele Z, a son of Eldorado van de Zeshoek TN and Ramiro Z bred in the Netherlands by Bart Timmermans. McLean and Eagele Z only competed in two classes, but in both the 1.40m class on Friday and the 1.40m Small Final on Sunday, they managed to outclass the competition.

Furthermore, Belgian rider Marthe Heudens also had a strong weekend with her 11-year-old stallion Jetric van Beek Z, a son of Vigo d'Arsouilles and Vagabond de la Pomme who was also bred by Guido Herrijgers. After a ^13th place in the 1.40m class on Thursday during the opening day, Heudens and Jetric van Beek Z were good for a ^5th place in the standings in both the 1.40m class on Friday and the 1.40m Small Final on Sunday.

There were also two placings for Belgian rider Sacha Beghuin and the 9-year-old mare Tuttifrutti Pommex Z, the breeding product of Haras de la Pomme and Stephex Stables who combined the blood of Telstar de la Pomme with that of Darco. Beghuin and Tuttifrutti Pommex Z were good for ^3rd place during the 1.35m class on Saturday, and a day later they secured another^2nd place in the standings. His compatriot Roy Hanlon and the 11-year-old mare Hathina Z (Harley VDL x Numero Uno - F: Michel Dohmen) also jumped into prizes in these classes with a ^5th and ^4th place respectively.

Finally, there were also two Zangersheide horses who managed a podium place during the opening day on Thursday. For example, in the 1.45m Longines Ranking class, there was a ^3rd place for Belgian rider Andres Vereecke with the 12-year-old grey mare Call Me de Muze Z (Clarissimo Z x Ramiro Z - B: Leon Melchior & Joris De Brabander) and in the 1.40m class there was a^2nd place for British rider Jake Ward and the 14-year-old stallion Davinci Vd Bosrand Z (Diamant de Semilly x Carthago Z - B: Andre Lissens).