Double victory for Vigo's Flip de Muze Z in Bonheiden

In addition to the various competitions across our national borders, last weekend there was once again international action to be enjoyed in our own country and more specifically at the equestrian centre of Jumping Bonheiden. From Thursday to Sunday, the second week of the May Tour 2025 was held there. The Z-horses again showed their best side and achieved several victories and strong placings throughout the weekend.

With two wins, the star performer was undoubtedly the 13-year-old chestnut mare Vigo's Flip de Muze Z, a daughter of Vigo d'Arsouilles out of the legendary Grand Prix mare H&M Butterfly Flip (Robin I Z). Together with Brazilian rider Bernardo Alves, Joris De Brabander's breeding product has grown into a lightning-fast combination in recent years, and that became clear once again last weekend. Alves and Vigo's Flip de Muze Z got off to an excellent start on Thursday with a resounding victory in the 1.40m class. In a class against the clock, they crossed the finish line in 66.68 seconds, almost three (!) full seconds ahead of the rest of the field. But also in the 1.35m class on Sunday morning, it was Alves and Vigo's Flip de Muze Z who took the top prize. In both the first and second phases, they could not be caught out on a fault and with a finishing time of 31.07 seconds, they secured their second victory of the weekend.

Another victory came in the name of British rider James Smith and the 10-year-old gelding Dominican 2000 Z, a son of our black pearl Dominator 2000 Z and Casir ASK bred by Carl Brems and his partner Mieke Bosma. Smith and Domincan 2000 Z were winners of the 1.35m class on Saturday, where their clear round in 73.23 seconds put them over a quarter of a second ahead of the competition. On Sunday morning, Smith and Dominican 2000 Z were additionally on target again when they secured another^2nd place during the 1.35m class.

Besides his victory with Dominican 2000 Z, Smith also managed to add another section to his record of achievements last weekend with the 14-year-old gelding Eagele Z, a son of Eldorado van de Zeshoek and Ramiro Z bred in the Netherlands by Bart Timmermans. In the 1.40m class on Friday afternoon, Smith and Eagele Z kept it clear twice and with a finishing time of 30.29 seconds they held off the competition by more than a full second.

But^2nd place in this section was also taken by a Z horse thanks to Belgian rider Benny Naessens and the 11-year-old mare Kannavara Z, a daughter of Kannan and Contender bred by Dave Blyau and previously ridden by Constant van Paesschen. Naessens and Kannavara Z, also good for ^4th place in the 1.30m class on Thursday during the opening day, also kept all the rails in the scoops, but needed 31.41 seconds to finish their second phase successfully.

Victory in the 1.30m class on Thursday then went to Belgian rider Nico Baerts and the 11-year-old gelding Firenze vh Daaleinde Z, a breeding product of Peter Geenen and Shari Debay who combined the blood of Diamant de Semilly with that of Air Jordan Z. They finished in 65.02 seconds, giving them a comfortable lead over other competitors.

Also on Thursday, German rider Fabienne Graefe managed to secure a podium place with the 12-year-old gelding Cavallo PS Z, a son of Clarissimo Z and Fierro Hof Ter Zeedycke bred by Peter Simons. In the 1.40m class, Graefe and Cavallo PS Z finished in 69.99 seconds, securing ^3rd place in the rankings.

Her compatriot Manuel Feldmann then followed in ^4th place in this 1.40m class with the 8-year-old mare Valdina van de Fruitkorf Z, a daughter of Vagabond de la Pomme and Clinton bred by Willy Blocken. It took them 70.34 seconds to complete their round. A day later, Feldmann and Valdina van de Fruitkorf Z jumped into the picture again when they secured ^8th place in another 1.40m class.

Last but not least, Benny Naessens also managed a podium place with the 11-year-old stallion Balisto Vd Schorre Z, a son of Balou du Rouet and Argentinus bred by Steven Van Eeckhout. They started the final day on Sunday morning with a nice ^3rd place in the 1.35m class.