Jessica Springsteen & Davendy S. Ph: LGCT/Stefano Grasso
On Friday, August 11th, 2017, USA’s Jessica Springsteen piloted the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Davendy S (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat II) to a 1st place finish in the opening CSI5* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard.
The 13th leg of the LGCT kicked off at the Tops International Arena in the Netherlands, Springsteen’s European base under trainers Edwina and Jan Tops. Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani made full use of the expansive sand arena, setting the eight-obstacle-course at 1.45.
47 riders competed aboard Vezzani’s track, with all but eight making it to the jump off round. To secure the victory on home turf, Springsteen and Davendy S produced the fastest of the clears with a time of 25.49.
“[Davendy’s] so much fun, and I know her so well – it’s her niche,” said Springsteen. “She jumped amazing and I’m so happy with her. It’s nice to be competing at home, and it’s a good start to the weekend. I look forward to this every year. My parents got in yesterday, so it’s a pleasure to have them here.”
For 2nd place, Albert Zoer of the Netherlands and Gigolo, the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z x Quickfeuer van Koekshof) finished with a time of 25.80s. In 3rd place with a time of 26.98 finished Colombia’s Carlos Lopez and the nine-year-old Selle Francais mare Ulhane de Conde (Jarnac x Corland).
For the full results, visit this link.