Grand Prix glory for Tombola Z in Wellington

Over the past few days in the United States, the World Cup stage at the World Equestrian Centre of Ocala was of course the main event to look forward to, but two other international competitions also took place. At the Winter Equestrian Festival of Wellington International, for example, the sixth week of the event was already under way, with a Z-horse in the lead at the CSI3* Grand Prix.

Unlike in previous weeks, the Wellington Grand Prix was on the programme this time on Sunday afternoon, in which a total of thirty-three combinations made their appearance in the ring. Five of them managed to ensure a clear round and thus secure a ticket for the decisive jump-off. One of those five prospective winners were Belgian rider Zoe Conter and her her 12-year-old mare Tombola Z, a daughter of Toulon and Dominard bred by Verschueren, Witters, Stevens and Van de Velde. Conter and Tombola Z, who were already good for ^9th place in the 1.45m class on Thursday, also showed their class in the jump-off and with a clear round in 49.60 seconds they secured a nice^2nd place in the rankings.

Also qualifying for the jump-off at this CSI3* Grand Prix were Irish rider Max Wachman and the 11-year-old stallion Kannem J.A. Z (Kannan x Lux Z), with the suffix J.A. referring to breeder Jean-Andre Souvereyns. Wachman and Kannem J.A. Z saw one bar go down in the jump-off, giving them final ^5th place in the standings. For them too, this was already the second top ranking of the weekend, having already jumped to ^8th place in the 1.40m class on Thursday.

Another striking combination in Wellington were Israeli rider Yali Kass and the 14-year-old chestnut mare H&M Luna van 't Ruytershof Z, the daughter of Levisto Z and For Pleasure from the breeding of Bert van den Branden of Stal 't Ruytershof. Kass and H&M Luna van 't Ruytershof Z made their first appearance on Thursday with a ^6th place in the 1.40m class, while they secured a ^4th place in the 1.50m class on Saturday.

There were also two placings for American rider Blythe Karolyi and the 15-year-old gelding Theo Duc T&L Z (Toulon x Nabab de Rêve), bred by Luc Tilleman. Karolyi and Theo Duc T&L Z started their competition on Thursday with^2nd place in the 1.45m class, followed two days later by ^8th place in the 1.50m class.

Finally, Egyptian rider Nayel Nassar also jumped to a podium finish with the 9-year-old mare Crislin van den Bosrand Z (Carambole x Nabab de Rêve), who was born to breeder Luc Huyghe. During the 1.40m class on Wednesday, they provided a flawless performance, which was good for^2nd place in the standings.