19 July '25
Alicia Keys Z and Egroni Z win on day two of Z Festival 2025
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Zangersheide Foal Championship / Z-Festival/
Zangersheide Foal Championship / STX Cyclus / STX Gouden Laars / Bixie Jumping
© Paardenfotograaf
Under a clear blue sky and bright sunshine, the second day of Z-Festival 2025 was on the programme today in Lanaken. After the youngest foals on Friday, today it was the turn of the second age group: the foals born between 17 April and 17 May 2025.
Filly foals
The morning started again with the fillies and in this it was finally the filly Alicia Keys Z who impressed most. She is a breeding product of Hof Brüning from Germany and unites the blood of our young Zangersheide stallion Ansingh de Lis Z with that of icon Taloubet Z. Moreover, her dam Taylor Swift Z is a half-sister of Colliers Carlotta (Codex One Z), currently competing at 1.55m level with German rider Angelique Rüsen.
Silver went to Celeste de Palustris Z, an elegant daughter of our grey stallion Contagio Z and Cassini II bred by Ruben D'hooghe. Celeste de Palustris Z's grandmother is the mare Shana De Kerglenn (Diamant de Semilly), who herself jumped at the very highest level with French rider Philippe Leoni. Shana De Kerglenn has since given birth to several offspring with Grand Prix credentials, including Darius de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago) and especially Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago), who managed to make his mark in the international top under rider Jeanne Sadran.
Bronze went to Desperanza 2000 Z, an offspring of Drummer 2000 Z and Corico Z from the stud of Tony Foriers of Stud 2000. Desperanza 2000 Z descends from the same dam's line as, among others, Icos (Cicero Z), who jumped at 1.60m level with Italian rider Francesca Arioldi.
Colts
After noon, it was once again the turn of the colts and here victory came in the name of Egroni Z, a son of Energy Guy Z and Indoctro bred by Noordwijk BV. Egroni's dam Annabel is also the dam of the Grand Prix horse Evert (Amadeus), who became famous in our country under Karel Cox and subsequently caused a furore under the saddle of British rider Robert Whitaker.
A handsome second place went to Calvador Royale GHM Z 2, a colt by former world champion Cumano out of an Echo van 't Spieveld dam. The foal comes from the Roosakker line, via dam No Mercy van 't Roosakker. She is a half-sister of the Grand Prix mare Zarkava Hero Z, who appeared in the ring in the past with Dutch rider Johnny Pals.
Third place went to Hernando van 't Merelsnest Z, a son of Hardrock Z and Argentinus from the breeding of the van Bunder family of Stoeterij 't Merelsnest. Dam Haditha-W van 't Merelsnest has already given Odelina van 't Merelsnest (Kannan) and Eliano V't Merelsnest Z (Emerald van 't Ruytershof) two horses that are themselves jumping at 1.45m, but she is also the half-sister of the Grand Prix horses Edjaz van 't Merelsnest (Nabab de Rêve) and his full brother Glasgow-W vh Merelsnest.