14 February '24
Camila Mazza de Benedicto wins CSI4* opening class
© Sportfot
In the beautiful setting of the Sentower Park in Opglabbeek, the starting gun was fired this afternoon for the second edition of 'The Zangerheide International'. Until Sunday, breeding and absolute top sport will once again go hand in hand, with this unique event once again promising to be a vibrant spectacle for all lovers of equestrian sport.
While the candidate stallions only have to compete for the first time tomorrow, the jumping competition already started today, with three international classes on the programme. The highlight was of course the 1.35m opening class of the CSI4* competition, in which Brazilian rider Camila Mazza de Benedicto jumped to victory after an exciting class. Mazza de Benedicto appeared as one of the last combinations in the ring with the 10-year-old mare Honey Lady (Balou du Rouet x Clinton) and with a clear 2nd phase in 24.54 seconds, Mazza de Benedicto and Honey Lady became the first CSI4* winners of the weekend.
The other podium places during this CSI4* opening class remained in Belgian hands with in 2nd place Felicien Collin and her also 10-year-old mare Illy Girl de Libramont (Coeur de Cachas D.S.). Collin and Illy Girl de Libramont had briefly taken the lead with a clear round in 25.10 seconds, but ended up more than half a second short of a Belgian victory. Limburg rider Jens Vandenberk was good for 3rd place in this class. He counted on the also 10-year-old stallion Diamant Van 't Coseveld Z (Diamant de Semilly x Corrado I) from the breeding farm of Dorien Boden and Dries Schreurs and managed to stop the clock in 26.05 seconds after a clear 2nd phase.
CSI1* competition
Before the riders of the CSI4* competition could start their competition tonight, two CSI1* classes also took place this afternoon and they were both won by a young Belgian rider. In the 1.25m class, that honour fell to Robin Vermeir, daughter of Wilm Vermeir and his partner Karolien Bongaerts. Vermeir already appeared as the 6th combination in the ring with the 14-year-old stallion Copacabana of the Paddocks Z, a son of Coriano Z and Papillon Rouge out of the Vicernant NV breeding farm, and with a clear round in 53.01 seconds immediately managed to put down a performance that would not be bettered.
Silver in this class went to Brazilian rider Katty King, the partner of Brazilian rider Carlos Mota Ribas. King counted on the 13-year-old gelding Blues de B'Neville (Con Canto x Vondeen) and managed to come closest to Vermeir with a finishing time of 53.79 seconds. 3rd place was again for Belgium with rider Lio Lamers and the 17-year-old gelding Charming Edition (Namelus R x All Wins). Lamers finished in 53.98 seconds, also securing a place on the podium.
In the 1.15m opening class earlier in the afternoon, it was rider Estee Bomeré who secured victory. For this first class of the weekend Bomeré saddled the 9-year-old mare Chiquita Van 't Ameldonk Z, a daughter of the grey stallion Cicero Z and Diamant de Semilly who was bred by her father Bart Bomeré. As the 7th combination at the managed to keep it clear twice, Bomeré and Chiquita Van 't Ameldonk Z had a finishing time of 22.52 seconds in the 2nd phase and were more than half a second ahead of the competition.
But also in 2nd place during this opening class we got a young Belgian rider with Limburg's Paulien Schepers. Who was accompanied by the also 9-year-old gelding Klever Boy Legita Hof Z, a son of Kannan and Caretano Z from the breeding farm of the Guisson family of the Legita Hof. Schepers and Klever Boy Legita Hof also managed to stay double clear, crossing the finishing line in 23.05 seconds. Dutch rider Dylara Peters provided an integral female podium by taking 3rd place. She piloted the 14-year-old stallion Cantore (Corlensky x Acrobat) clear to the finish line in 23.42 seconds.
Translated by deeple.com