Double victory for Andrea Pisani and Charlemagne JT Z in Opglabbeek

While people in the Netherlands could enjoy the Longines Global Future Champions in Valkenswaard, the past few days have been a particularly well-filled weekend on Belgian soil. Indeed, no fewer than three international competitions were scheduled across the country, including the STP Riders Series at Opglabbeek's Sentower Park. With two wins there, it was a particularly successful weekend for young Italian rider Andrea Pisani and the 15-year-old grey gelding Charlemagne JT Z.

Andrea Pisani and Charlemagne JT Z, a son of Cachas and Carthago Z from the breeding farm of Johan Thijs, have only been a combination since last year after the grey was a strong tandem of Andrea's father Riccardo Pisani for many years. During the opening day on Thursday, the duo immediately made a good start within the three-star competition, when they claimed a nice ^7th place in the 1.40m opening class. But especially the following days, the young Pisani and Charlemagne JT Z experienced a dream weekend with two fantastic victories. In both the 1.40m class on Friday and the one on Saturday, they provided a dazzling performance and managed to outclass the competition.

Another combination that managed to place three times in Opglabbeek over the weekend were Belgian rider Christophe Vanderhasselt and the 8-year-old mare Axxess Pur Z, a daughter of Aktion Pur Z and Sam R born with breeder Elke Luyten. Vanderhasselt and Axxess Pur Z achieved a brilliant ^3rd place in both the 1.40m class on Thursday and the 1.45m class on Sunday, while they also added an ^8th place to their record during the 1.40m class on Friday.

For Dutch rider Mans Thijssen and the 10-year-old gelding Nero Z from the Meulendijks Stables breeding farm, there were then two more placings throughout the weekend. Thijssen and Nero Z, a son of Numero Uno and Lupicor, started their competition on Thursday with a great ^3rd place during the 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier and on Saturday they managed to finish ^9th in the 1.35m class.

On the final day on Sunday, the 1.55m CSI3* Grand Prix was of course the absolute highlight of the weekend and in it Spanish rider Mariano Martinez Bastida achieved a top 5 ranking with his now 16-year-old gelding Belano Vd Wijnhoeve Z, the son of Berlin and Darco out of Danny De Cuyper's breeding. Martinez Bastida and Belano Vd Wijnhoeve Z stayed clear in the first round, making them one of the 14 combinations that managed to qualify for the jump-off. In it, they managed to post the fastest finishing time on the scoreboard in 35.97 seconds by far, but a mistake on the way unfortunately kept them from victory and made them settle for ^5th place.

For Dutch rider Johnny Pals and the 14-year-old mare Zarkava Hero Z (Zandor Z x Calvaro Z - Breeder: Luc Henry) there was a ^7th place in this CSI3* Grand Prix. They too saw a fault in the jump-off and did so in a time of 37.19 seconds.

Earlier on Sunday, a 1.45m class was also programmed for the riders of the three-star competition, in which Belgian rider Ugo Berrittella secured a podium place with the 9-year-old chestnut gelding Devino van 't Langeveld Z, a breeding product of Bert Thienpond who combined Dayton Sitte with For Pleasure. In both the^1st and^2nd phases, Berrittella and Devino van 't Langeveld Z were not at fault and this performance resulted in^2nd place.

Also on Sunday, Dutch rider Amanda Slagter also managed to achieve a^2nd place with the 12-year-old grey stallion Neverland Z, the son of Numero Uno and Carthago Z bred by Yves Vansteenwinkel. Slagter and Neverland Z achieved this^2nd place during the 1.40m class, after keeping neatly clear in both the^1st and^2nd stages. For Andrea Pisani and the 11-year-old mare Vanity Z (Vantast Z x Balou du Rouet - breeder Gestüt Lewitz) there was then a ^4th place in this class.

Finally, there were also some strong blue/yellow performances in the 1.50m Longines Ranking class on Friday evening. These included a ^4th place for Irish rider Nial Talbot with the 10-year-old stallion Charming Dream Z (Carrera VDL x Messenger - Breeder: L.H.M. Sneijers) and a ^6th place for British rider Robert Murphy with the 12-year-old gelding Eagele Vd Wolfsakker Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir Van Schuttershof - Breeder: B. van der Kloet). Both managed to ensure a flawless round in both the basic round and the jump-off.