Bronze for Elton Van Het Exelhof Z in the CSI3* GP of Opglabbeek

Breeder Werner Essers from Hechtel-Eksel in Limburg can look back with satisfaction on the performance of his breeding products during the past weekend. During the CSI5* GP of Williamsburg in the United States, there was already that 3rd place for the Irish rider Darragh Kenny with the 9-year-old stallion Hamrah Van Het Exelhof Z (Harley VDL x Cassini I), but also during the CSI3* GP of Opglabbeek saw Essers one of his breeding products shine on stage. This was ensured by the Argentinian rider Mariano Ossa with the 11-year-old gelding Elton Van Het Exelhof Z, a son of Elvis Ter Putte in combination with Cassicor. Ossa and Elton Van Het Exelhof Z became already 6th on Thursday during the opening day in the 1.40m class and were one of the only 6 combinations that qualified for the jump-off during the CSI3* GP. They again managed to ensure a clear round and this performance also earned them a 3rd place in the ranking.

But Elton Van Het Exelhof Z was of course not the only Zangersheide horse that jumped into the picture in Opglabbeek. On Sunday there was also a podium place for the Belgian rider Pieter Clemens with the 12-year-old gelding Cayadix Hero Z (Candence van 't Gelutt Z x Wandor van de Mispelaere – B: Luc Henry). During the 1.40m, class Clemens and Cayadix Hero Z managed to keep it clear in both the 1st and the 2nd phase and this was good for a 2nd place in the ranking.

During the opening day on Thursday there was also a 2nd place for the Argentinian rider Martin Dopazo with the 11-year-old grey mare Carlina Z (Caristo Z x Berlin – B: Haras Rinconada). During the 1.45m high speed class they finished in 66.52 seconds and with that they only had to tolerate the British rider Donald Whitaker. On Sunday, Dopazo and Carlina Z were placed again with a 5th place in the 1.45m class.

During the 1.45m high speed class on Thursday, we also saw a second Zangersheide horse on the podium with the Italian rider Riccardo Pisani and the 13-year-old grey stallion Charlemagne JT Z (Cachas x Carthago Z – B: Horsestud Thijs BVBA). They also managed to keep all the poles in the cups, but crossed the finish line in 66.58 seconds. During the 1.45m class on Sunday they were good for a 9th place in the ranking.

Finally, we also saw two Zangersheide horses in the top 10 of the ranking during the 1.50m Longines Ranking class on Friday. There was a 6th place for the Colombian rider Juan Manuel Gallego with the 14-year-old mare Fee des Sequoias Z (Figaro du Ri d'Asse x Saccor – B: Filipe Viegas & Eloise Vaxelaire) and a 9th place for the Belgian rider Maurice van Roosbroeck with the 9-year-old gelding Emir du Coeur des Collines Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Calypso III – B: V.vrijdag Vandewiel).