Grand Prix successes in Bridgehampton

While on European soil the Brussels Stephex Masters provided the necessary spectacle, the past few days also saw top-level show jumping in the United States. In Bridgehampton, New York, The Hampton Classic Horse Show was once again one of the absolute highlights of the American show jumping calendar. Five-star sport, prestige and atmosphere went hand in hand, with some Z-horses also showing their great performances.

The highlight of the weekend in Bridgehampton was undoubtedly the Longines Hampton CSI5* Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, which brought a total of thirty-eight combinations to the start. The 1.60m base round there proved to be no mean feat, as of those thirty-eight contenders, only three ultimately managed to ensure a flawless round. American rider Charlotte Jacobs also made her appearance there in the saddle of her 10-year-old gelding Playboy JT Z, a son of Presley Boy and Plot Blue from the breeding farm of Johan Thijs. Jacobs and Playboy JT Z, also good for ^eighth place in the qualification for this CSI5* Grand Prix on Friday, jumped a fantastic round, but unfortunately saw a fault during their course. However, with a finishing time of 74.88 seconds, they did manage to set the fastest basic round and so this performance ultimately still earned the duo a nice ^4th place.

Earlier on Sunday, the CSI2* Grand Prix was already on the programme in Bridgehampton and there was also success for our blue and yellow studbook colours. Jacobs' compatriot Heather Caristo Williams and her 14-year-old gelding Marciano MVF, a son of Stakkato and Libero H who was born as Swing de Landetta Z to his Dutch breeders at Stoeterij Landetta, took care of that. In a jump-off for which six combinations managed to qualify, Caristo Williams and Marciano MVF ran up against 4 penalty points along the way, which was also good for ^4th place in the standings.

Another notable combination within the two-star competition were American rider Campbell Brown and the 11-year-old chestnut mare Colina Z, a daughter of C-Ingmar and Carthago Z from the breeding farm of J.R.J. Evenhuis and L.G. Morsink in the Netherlands. Brown and Colina Z immediately started their competition excellently on Thursday with a ^4th place in the 1.40m opening class, while a day later they secured another ^7th place in the 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier.

During that 1.45m-high Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday, Qatari Faleh Suwead Al Ajami was also one of the prize winners with the 10-year-old gelding Equine America Zodiak du Buisson Z (VDL Zirocco Blue VDL x Dutch Capitol - Breeder: Haras Du Buisson). In both the basic round and the jump-off they did not have any faults and thus also secured ^4th place in the ranking.

Finally, Irish rider Shane Sweetnam also managed to secure a top 5 ranking with the 9-year-old gelding Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (Comme Il Faut x Lord Z - Breeder: Mivaro BVBA). During the 1.50m class with Winning Round on Saturday, Sweetnam and Coriaan van Klapscheut Z provided double clear rounds, with ^5th place as the final result.