Elcup Van Beek II Z jumps to silver in the CSI3* GP of Opglabbeek

For the third week in a row there was some international action on Belgian soil in Sentower Park, Opglabbeek, last weekend. During the CSI3* GP on Sunday afternoon there was a podium place for the Belgian rider Sacha Beghuin with the 11-year-old stallion Elcup Van Beek II Z, a son of Elvis Ter Putte and Armitage who was bred by Guido Herrijgers. Beghuin and Elcup Van Beek II Z were one of the 8 combinations that stayed clear in the basic round of the British course designer Rafael Suarez and his team and so qualified for the jump-off. As the 6th combination at the start they again managed to keep it clear and with a finish time of 41.29 seconds they secured a 2nd place in the ranking, just like during the CSI2* GP in February.

Who also managed to qualify for the jump-off was Belgian Champion Young Riders Tristan Guisson with his 11-year-old chestnut mare Naturelle vh Legitahof Z, a daughter of Nabab de Rêve and For Pleasure who was bred by his father Eddy Guisson and who is also the mother of our stallion Astronomic Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z). Guisson and Naturelle vh Legitahof Z managed to set the fastest time in 37.85 seconds, but due to a fault along the way they eventually had to settle for 4th place in the ranking.

On Saturday morning, the Brazilian rider Bernardo Alves put in a great performance with the 11-year-old chestnut mare Vigo's Flip de Muze Z (Vigo d'Arsouilles STX x Robin II Z – B: Joris De Brabander), a daughter of the legendary mare H&M Butterfly Flip by the Swedish lady rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson. During the 1.40m class, Alves and Vigo's Flip de Muze Z managed to keep it clear in both the 1st and the 2nd phase, resulting in a 2nd place.

Next to the good performances of Elcup Van Beek II Z and Naturelle vh Legitahof Z during the CSI3* GP, also several Zangersheide horses managed to jump into the picuture during the two qualifiers for this GP. For example, during the 1.50m class on Friday, the Taiwanese rider Ping-Yang Hsieh jumped to an 8th with the 12-year-old chestnut gelding Andiamix II Hero Z, a son of Aganix du Seigneur Z and Andiamo Z who was bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry. After a clear basic round, the duo also managed to keep all the poles in the cups in the jump-off. The French lady rider Ines Joly followed in 9th place with the 12-year-old chestnut mare Deau Re Mi T&L Z (Deauville de la Vie x Corofino I – B: NV T&L) and the Belgian lady rider Leonie Peeters took 10th place with the 13-year-old mare Tinkoucha Hero Z (Tinka's Boy x Diamant de Semilly – B: Luc Henry). They also managed to ensure a flawless performance twice.

Finally, during the 1.50m class on Saturday, there was also a 10th place for Belgian Champion Nicola Philippaerts with the 9-year-old mare Dhalida Diamant Vd Krekebeke Z (Diamant de Semilly x Calvaro Z – B: Robrecht and Patricia Segaert). They also recorded a nice clear round.