Johnny Pals and Zarkava Hero Z jump to silver in the CSI3* GP of Valencia

For the second week in a row, the CSI3* GP of Valencia brought success for Zangersheide's blue and yellow colours. After British rider Laura Renwick's Grand Prix victory with her 11-year-old grey mare Enjoy CK Z (Echo van 't Spieveld x Coronado - B: Kristof Ceulemans) during the opening week, last Sunday a podium place was reserved for Dutch rider Johnny Pals with the 13-year-old mare Zarkava Hero Z, a daughter of Zangersheide icon Zandor Z and Calvaro Z from the breeding farm of Luc Henry. Pals and Zarkava Hero Z were one of the 10 combinations to go clear in the first round, securing a ticket for the jump-off. In the jump-off they managed to get another flawless round and with a finishing time of 41.30 seconds they secured 2nd place in the rankings.

But Laura Renwick and Enjoy CK Z also managed to jump into the picture again last week. During the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Friday, the duo managed to stay clear in both the basic round and the jump-off and this performance earned them 3rd place in the rankings this time.

Also winning 3rd place were British rider Chloé Aston and the 9-year-old mare Diatendra von Rocherath Z, a daughter of Diamant de Semilly and Contendro I bred by Edgar Stoffels. Aston and Diatendra von Rocherath Z already won the 1.30m class on Thursday during the opening day and thus secured a place on the podium during the 1.40m class on Friday.

Furthermore, it was a successful weekend for French rider Alexa Ferrer with the also 9-year-old chestnut mare Caetlin Vd Heffinck Z, a daughter of Chacco Blue and Cabrio Z from the Hamerlinck family's breeding farm. Ferrer and Caetlin Vd Heffinck made their first appearance on Thursday with 8th place in the 1.40m class and on Sunday at the CSI3* GP they were good for 10th place in the standings.

Last but not least, Portuguese rider Antonio Matos Almeida had another strong weekend with the 8-year-old stallion Chang N Z, a son of our chestnut stallion Comilfo Plus Z and Crown Z bred in Portugal by Luis Malafaia Novais. Matos Almeida and Chang N Z already finished 9th in the 1.40m class on Thursday and on Saturday they crowned themselves convincing winners of the 1.35m class. Indeed, with a clear round in 54.75 seconds, they were almost 2 full seconds ahead of the competition.

Translated by deeple.com