Win for Didam van 't Schaaphof Z in the CSI2* Grand Prix of Opglabbeek

Besides the first leg of the Longines EEF Series at the Azelhof in Lier, there was a second international competition on the calendar on Belgian soil last weekend. Indeed, the Sentower Park in Opglabbeek marked the kick-off of the three-week Easter Tour, which also saw stiff competition for prizes at two-star level. On Sunday afternoon, we were looking forward to the CSI2* Grand Prix, which, just like in Lier, got a Z-horse at the top of the leaderboard.

Indeed, the top prize went to Belgian rider Arnaud Gaublomme and the 9-year-old gelding Didam Van'T Schaaphof Z, a son of Denzel van het Meulenhof and Heartbreaker bred by Maurice Van De Walle. Gaublomme and Didam Van'T Schaaphof Z also shone on Friday with a ^3rd place during the 1.45m Longines Ranking class and during that 1.45m final on Sunday afternoon, they were one of the eighteen combinations that got through the basic round of arena builder Bernard Mathy and his team unscathed. In that jump-off, the duo managed to keep their cool and with a clear round in 43.64 seconds they managed to outclass everyone.

Furthermore, Colombian rider Santiago Diaz Ortega also managed to jump into the picture in these two Longines Ranking classes with the 12-year-old grey mare Capri DV Z, a daughter of Cardento VDL and Cicero Z who was bred by Pieter Devos. Diaz Ortega and Capri DV Z did just a little better than Gaublomme and Didam Van'T Schaaphof Z on Friday by claiming^2nd place, while they secured a ^4th place during the CSI2* Grand Prix. There they reached the finishing line in 44.81 seconds after a clear jump-off.

Another striking combination was Belgian rider Christophe Vanderhasselt with the 8-year-old mare Axxess Pur Z, a daughter of Aktion Pur Z and Sam R from the breeding farm of Elke Luyten. Vanderhasselt and Axxess Pur Z competed three times and also managed to jump to top placings three times. They started their show on Thursday with a ^5th place in the 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier, finished in ^3rd place in another 1.45m class on Saturday and in between they also added a 1.40m class to their record of achievements. During the 2-phase class on Friday afternoon, they sped to the finishing line in 27.25 seconds, putting them over a quarter of a second ahead of the rest of the field.

Also taking two wins last weekend were Brazilian rider Bernardo Alves with the 8-year-old mare Be Cute de Muze Z, a daughter of Bamako de Muze out of the mare Call Me de Muze Z (Clarissimo Z), one of Belgian rider Andres Vereecke's Grand Prix horses. Alves and Joris De Brabander's breeding product managed to beat the competition in both the 1.35m class on Thursday and Friday's class with a sparkling round.

In these two 1.35m classes^2nd place went twice to Belgian rider Michaël Vreys with his 9-year-old homebred mare Heideroosje Van Plockroy Z, a daughter of Heidelberg van het Lindehof in combination with Ogano Sitte. Vreys and Heideroosje Van Plockroy Z also jumped two strong rounds, but were twice outclassed by Alves and Be Cute de Muze Z.

Vreys' compatriot Jens Vandenberk also had a strong weekend with the 8-yr-old chestnut stallion Gancio Van 't Smisveld Z, a breeding product of Ive Tonet who combined the blood of Gino H with that of Nabab de Rêve. During the opening day on Thursday, Vandenberk and Gancio Van 't Smisveld Z were immediately good for a ^6th place in the 1.35m class and on Saturday they closed their competition with a great^2nd place in the 1.40m class.

Also in these two classes, the young Belgian rider Emilia Housen managed to jump twice in the prizes with the 12-year-old mare Karenina Z, a daughter of Kannan and Quick Star bred by Hanna Remans. Housen and Karenina Z jumped to ^7th place in the 1.35m class on Thursday, while they then secured ^3rd place in the 1.40m class on Saturday.

Finally, British rider Jodie Burchmore Eames also managed to secure two more podium places with the 9-year-old mare Contessa Z, a daughter of Carrera VDL and Toulon bred by Alex Vasiljevs. In both the 1.35m class on Thursday and the 1.40m class on Sunday, they could not be found with a fault and these performances earned them a ^3rd place in the standings twice.