Four Zangersheide horses win in 's-Hertogenbosch.

The Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch were once again the venue for The Dutch Masters - Indoor Brabant last weekend, one of the most prestigious indoor horse shows of the year and also one of the top events that are part of the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Several Zangersheide horses also made their appearance in the ring, and over the past few days, they managed to secure various victories and placements.

One of these victories was achieved by Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten and his top horse, Beauville Z N.O.P., the 14-year-old son of Bustique and Jumpy des Fontaines, bred in the Netherlands by Pascal Habets. Van der Vleuten and Beauville Z N.O.P. hadn't competed internationally since mid-December last year and on Friday night, they were one of the 12 combinations to qualify for the jump-off during the 1.55m high VDL Groep Prize. In the jump-off, they delivered a flawless round in 42.04 seconds, ultimately securing a lead of over half a second ahead of the competition, marking a fantastic comeback!

Also making their mark in this category was Van der Vleuten's compatriot, Lars Kersten, with the 10-year-old stallion Funky Fred vh Marienshof Z, a son of Fantomas de Muze and Libero H bred by Stal Marienshof. Kersten and Funky Fred vh Marienshof Z also managed to keep it clean in the jump-off, securing a finish time of 50.00 seconds and landing them a 5th place in the rankings. Additionally, during the 1.55m main event on Saturday, the duo achieved a 7th place. Unfortunately, a small mistake in the initial round kept them out of the jump-off.

Also on Friday, there was a victory for Dutch rider Kevin Jochems with the 9-year-old mare Looks Good de Liebri Z, a daughter of Lector Vd Bisschop and Bentley vd Heffinck bred by De Liebri BVBA. During the 1.40m high opening competition of the CSI5* series, they kept a clean record in both the 1st and 2nd phases, securing a blue and yellow victory with a finish time of 22.78 seconds. Yesterday, during the final day, Jochems and Looks Good de Liebri Z continued their good form with a 3rd place in the 1.45m high speed class.

Furthermore, in the opening competition, we saw a second Zangersheide horse on the podium thanks to Belgian rider Pieter Clemens and the 10-year-old mare Big Beauty Z, bred by C. Teunissen, who combined the bloodlines of Big Star JR K Z and Padinus. Clemens and Big Beauty Z also had two flawless rounds in this 1.40m competition, securing a finish time of 23.11 seconds and landing them a 3rd place in the rankings. But the best achievement of the weekend was yet to come for the duo, as yesterday during the final day, Clemens and Big Beauty Z emerged as the winners of the 1.45m high speed class. They finished after a flawless round in 50.91 seconds, adding this victory to their accolades. 

The fourth and final victory came courtesy of Maikel van der Vleuten and the 8-year-old stallion Kentucky TMS Z, a son of Kannan and Toulon bred by Tal Milstein Stables, with whom Van der Vleuten had already achieved a 5th place on Friday during the 1.40m high opening competition. Van der Vleuten and Kentucky TMS Z were the winners of the 1.40m competition on Saturday, dominating the competition with a flawless round in 53.99 seconds. Additionally, in this competition, there was a 3rd place for Belgian Wilm Vermeir with the 9-year-old mare Eytuka Of Two Notes Z (Emerald van ’t Ruytershof x Chin Chin – Bred by Toby Huys), a 4th place for his compatriot Gudrun Patteet with the also 9-year-old mare Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z (Comme Il Faut x Chacco Blue – Bred by Evelyne and Colin Van Vreckom), and a 5th place for Swedish rider Peder Fredricson with the 10-year-old stallion SV Vroom de la Pomme Z (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Untouchabe – Bred by Geert Baertsoen).