Good start for Elfra Van Beek Z in 2023!

The first international show of the new year took place on Belgium soil last weekend and more specifically in Sentower Park, Opglabbeek. The Belgian rider Gilles Thomas brought the 9-year-old stallion Elfra Van Beek Z (El Salvador x Vagabond de la Pomme) to the start there and the duo immediately managed to ensure two top placings. After finishing third in the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Friday evening, they also had a leading role in the CSI2* GP on Sunday. In a jump-off for which twelve combinations were able to qualify, Thomas and the breeding product of Guido Herrijgers' again remained clear and took fourth place in the ranking.

Furthermore also the Dutch rider Logan Fiechter with the 11-year-old gelding E Hoodstock Z (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Vigaro Z – B: A.J. Smolders) and the Belgian Junior Champion Aurelia Guisson with the 10-year-old grey mare No Limit Vh Legita Hof Z (Nabab de Rêve x Berlin – F: Legita Hof) were able to qualify for the jump-off. Both also remained clear, which resulted in a sixth and an eighth place.

Earlier on Sunday there was also a 1.40m class on the programm in which the Belgian rider Wim Vinckx jumped into the picture with the 9-year-old mare Adjani van de Kattevennen Z (Aktion Pur Z x Canturo – B: BVBA Spronken), with whom he had already placed second in the 1.30m class on Thursday during the opening day. A clear 1st and 2nd phase earned them a fifth place in the ranking this time. On Friday, Wim Vinckx also secured a victory with the 8-year-old gelding Thender van de Zuuthoeve Z (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Cassini I – B: Paardenfokerij Zuuthoeve). During the 1.30m high speed class they remained clear and had more than a full second ahead of the competition.

And also during the 1.45m main class on Thursday we saw two Zangersheide horses in the top ten of the ranking. Eighth place went to Aurelia Guisson with the 10-year-old gelding Explosion vh Legita Hof Z (Elvis Ter Putte x For Pleasure – B: Guisson) while ninth place went to her compatriot Niels Fockaert with the 14-year-old stallion Diamond Z (Diamant de Semilly x Contender – B: N. Wouters van den Oudenweijer).