18 November '25
Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z signs for a sensational Grand Prix in Wellington
© Sportfot
For the start of the famous Winter Equestrian Festival, we still have to wait until the second week of January, but even at this time of the year there is some serious show jumping on American soil at the beautiful Wellington International. Last weekend, the Pre Charity CSI3* Horse Show could be enjoyed there, where it was a Z-horse that managed to claim the lead role during the absolute highlight of the weekend!
On Sunday afternoon, Wellington was all about the CSI3* Grand Prix, the absolute highlight and also the finale of a busy international weekend. A total of forty-five combinations appeared in the competition ring and, of these, thirteen managed to jump to a place in the decisive jump-off. In it, it was Irish rider Shane Sweetnam who managed to claim victory with the 9-year-old stallion Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z, a son of Comme Il Faut and Lord Z who was born in Belgium to the van Rossem family of Mivaro BVBA. After a clear jump-off, Sweetnam and Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z managed to stop the clock in 44.50 seconds, writing this Grand Prix on their record with 15 hundredths of a second ahead of the competition.
On Thursday during the opening day, it was US rider Kirsten Vanderveen who ensured a blue/yellow top placing with her 10-year-old grey stallion Bull Run's Celestial, a son of Cicero Z van Paemel and Numero Uno who was born Cilestro Z in the Netherlands at Ruisbroek Farms. Vanderveen and Bull Run's Celestial entered the 1.45m class, where they secured 2nd place after a clear 2nd phase in 36.41 seconds.
Also in this class, Israeli rider Ashlee Bond was among the prize winners with the 9-year-old gelding Vago Chin vt Willebeke Z, a son of the recently deceased Vagabond de la Pomme and Chin Chin born to breeder Karel Decneudt. Bond and Vago Chin vt Willebeke Z also kept it neatly clear twice and with a finishing time of 38.23 seconds they secured 6th place.
Furthermore, Wellington International also saw a 6th place for American rider Raleigh Hiler and the 11-year-old mare Klaartje Z (Kannan x Flipper d'Elle - Breeder: Ties Raijmakers), known in Belgium from her time under the saddle of Nicola Philippaerts. Hiler and Klaartje Z also achieved this 6th place on Thursday, where they ensured a double clear round during the 1.40m class.