Aquiles Del Caribe Z on the GP-podium in Lier

Next to the three-star show in Sentower Park, Opglabbeek, there was of course also international action in Azelhof, Lier, last weekend. Here too there was blue/yellow success during the CSI2* GP with a podium place for the American rider Nikko Ritter and the 9-year-old stallion Aquiles Del Caribe Z, a breeding product of Mauricio Ruiz who combines the blood of Action-Breaker with that of Gerlinus. Ritter and Aquilles Del Caribe Z were one of the 6 combinations that managed to qualify for the jump-off and they finally secured a 2nd place after they again kept clear in the jump-off.

Next to Ritter and Aquiles Del Caribe Z, we also saw two other Zangersheide horses in the top 10 of the ranking during this GP. There was an 8th place for the Belgian rider Anthony Wellens with the 11-year-old chestnut stallion Danger Civil vh Lindenhof Z (Diamant de Semilly x Silvio I – B: Jean-Pierre Bosch) and a 9th place for the Mexican rider Carlos Hank Guerreiro with the 9-year-old gelding H5 Porthos Maestro Wh Z (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte – B: Frank Fory & Christophe Wouters).

During the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Saturday, the Polish rider Adam Grzegorzewski managed to jump into the picture with the 8-year-old mare Fanfreluche de Rialfo Z (Farfelu de Muze x Dokkum de Rialfo – B: Johan Bijloos). In a class against the clock he remained clear and with a finish time of 68.73 seconds he also jumped to 2nd place in the ranking.

The 5th place in this class went to the Dutch rider John Steegs with the 9-year-old gelding Champion PS Z, a son of our chestnut stallion Comilfo Plus Z and Amiro Z who was bred by Peter Simons. Steegs and Champions PS Z already won the 1.35m class the day before and also managed to ensure a top ranking during this Longines Ranking class after another flawless performance.

Earlier on Saturday, the 1.35m class was won by the Belgian rider Lennart Van Vlaenderen with the 14-year-old mare Chacca 3 Leien Z (Chacco Blue x Palestro Vd Begijnakker D'O2 – B: 3 Leien Stables). They remained clear in both the 1st and 2nd phase and so managed to beat the competition. His compatriot Jorik Vervoort took a 5th place in this class with the 8-year-old stallion Tibo Van De Blokvenhoeve Z (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Faldo – B: Kenneth Fransen and Magali Baekelmans).

It was also a successful weekend for the Belgian rider Christophe Vanderhasselt with his 9-year-old gelding Kraque Boom d'Avifauna Z (Kannan x Kashmir van Schuttershof – F: BVBA Avifauna). Vanderhasselt and Kraque Boom d'Avifauna Z jumped to a 3rd place on Friday during the 1.40m class and confirmed their good form with a 2nd place during the 1.40m class on Saturday.

During this 1.40m class on Saturday there was a 5th place for the Belgian lady rider Liesje Vanderwegen with the 14-year-old grey gelding Isidoor J.H. Z (Indorado x Corland VDL – B: Dirk Slootmaeckers). And also Vanderwegen and Isidoor J.H. Z could look back on a strong show, because on the days before they already placed 5th and 8th and in two different 1.35m classes.

During the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Friday, a podium place was reserved for the Belgian rider Aurelien Lejeune with his 11-year-old home-bred chestnut mare Capri Z (Catoki x Contender). In a jump-off for which 9 combinations were able to qualify, they again kept all the poles in the cups and his finish time of 34.40 seconds was good for a 3rd place in the ranking. The British lady rider Georgia Tame then followed in 4th place with the 12-year-old gelding Curiano Van Maarle Z (Canabis Z x Germus Z – B: Corneel Verhaeren). She also remained clear, but crossed the finish line in 34.57 seconds. Finally, Carlos Hank Guerreiro placed 9th this time with the 9-year-old stallion H5 Ganesh Hero Z (Gemini x Diamant de Semilly – B: Gerry Marron & Luc Henry).

During the opening day on Thursday, the Luxembourg lady rider Odile Gierech managed to secure a blue/yellow victory with the 8-year-old mare Tirelire T&L Z (Toulon x Darco – B: Cédric and Delphine Tilleman). During the 1.40m high opening class she managed to beat the competition with a clear round in 59.12 seconds. Gierech also placed 4th in this class with the 11-year-old mare A-Myra Z (Arko III x Takashi Van Berkenbroeck – B: Theo Korsten).