Meganus PS and Alexa Stais top the leaderboard in opening class of the Sires of the World

The prestigious FEI Zangersheide Sires of the World got underway with its opening class for approved stallions, where a competitive field of proven sires showcased their power, speed, precision, as their riders jumped them for the top spots in Lanaken.

Riding Meganus PS, a 9-year-old Oldenburg stallion by Messenger out of a Carthago Z dam (bred and owned by Gestüt Lewitz), Alexa Stais (CYP) set the tone with a lightning-fast clear round in both phases of the 1.40m course. The pair crossed the finish line in 28.71 seconds, comfortably securing the lead. In second place, Nicole Pavitt (GBR) guided the just 8-year-old Rhodos van de Kiekenboer (Emerald x Oklund, bred by A. Van Bijsterveld and owned by Matthew Pike) to a faultless finish in 29.44 seconds.

Denmark’s Frederik Fensholt secured the third position with the 16-year-old veteran Take A Chance on Me Z (Taloubet Z x Aldatus Z).  The stallion, bred by Studbook Zangersheide, owned by Suus Kuyten, stopped the clock at 29.83 seconds, adding another strong placing to his record. The Netherlands was well represented, with two riders finishing in the top five. Thalessa de Jong rode Karan-K van ’t Kattenheye Z (Kannan x Nissan Caretano Z) to fourth place in 30.00 seconds, while Marriet Smit-Hoekstra and For Chacco TN (For Pleasure x Chacco-Blue) claimed fifth, crossing the finish line in 30.08 seconds.

With the curtain now lifted, anticipation builds for the finale tomorrow, where the world’s leading sires and their progeny will take center stage in one of the most prestigious breeding and sport events of the year.

Click here for the results.