07 August '25
New Grand Prix victory for Verdini d'Houtveld Z
© Andrew Ryback Photography
New Zealand rider Lauren Balcomb and her faithful partner Verdini d'Houtveld Z produced another cracking performance last weekend. At Ocala's magnificent World Equestrian Centre, they drew present for the penultimate Grand Prix of the Summer Series 2025 and managed to crown themselves winners of the CSI2* Grand Prix once again on Saturday evening. The successful duo thus once again confirmed their impressive form of the past few months.
For this CSI2* Grand Prix, the American course designer Catsy Cruz had drawn up a technically difficult course, with the tight time allowed in particular putting extra pressure on the competitors. A total of thirty-three combinations appeared at the start, but only five of them managed to clear the basic round without faults and thus secure a place in the jump-off. One of them was Lauren Balcomb with her now 14-year-old gelding Verdini d'Houtveld Z, a son of Verdi TN and Caretino from the breeding farm of Xavier Van Melckenbeke. Balcomb and Verdini came into the ring as the second combination in the jump-off and with a whirlwind ride in 38.45 seconds, they managed to once again outclass the competition and win this CSI2* Grand Prix.
Lauren Balcomb: "Although he is compactly built, Verdini d'Houtveld Z more than makes up for that with his big heart and perseverance. He has enormous power and agility. It is funny, once we are in the ring, he actually becomes easier to ride because he has so much blood. He knows exactly when it really matters. From the moment I step into the arena for the warm-up, he senses whether it's serious or not. He has so much experience now - he knows his job inside out and does it with so much pleasure. He really is of the next level."
However, Verdini d'Houtveld Z was not the only Zangersheide horse on the podium at this CSI2* Grand Prix, as the bronze also looked blue and yellow. Balcomb's compatriot Sharn Wordley took care of that with the 11-year-old gelding Brin d'Or de Haute Melen Z, a son of Bamako de Muze and Baloubet du Rouet born to breeder Georges Trulemans. Wordley and Brin d'Or de Haute Melen Z, who also tooksecond place in the 1.45m class on Thursday, also succeeded in a clear jump-off and with a finishing time of 42.78 seconds, they too were on the podium.
Fourth place in this CSI2* Grand Prix was taken by Portuguese rider Luis Sabino Gonçalves and the also 11-year-old chestnut gelding Scoop de Septon Z, the son of Hunters Scendro and Echo van 't Spieveld who was bred by Elevage de Septon and with whom Sabino Gonçalves also managed to achieve many great performances in recent weeks and months. Gonçalves and Scoop de Septon Z managed to set the fastest barrage lap in 37.39 seconds, but with a fault on the way they had to settle for a place just off the podium. Moreover, this 4th place was the duo's second top 5 ranking of the weekend, after they also secured a 5th place in the 1.45m class on Wednesday during the opening day.
During the 1.45m class on Thursday, in addition to the2nd place of Sharn Wordley and Brin d'Or de Haute Melen Z, we also saw a second Z-horse shine on the podium. Indeed, 3rd place here went to American rider Blythe Karolyi and the 14-year-old gelding Theo Duc T&L Z, a son of Toulon and Nabab de Rêve bred by Luc Tilleman and his team. They too managed to complete both the basic round and the jump-off.
Last but not least, Canadian rider Rodrick Kyle Dewar also managed to jump into the prizes twice with the 8-year-old stallion Chacoons Gisa Blue Z, a breeding product of Glen Nielsen who combined the genes of Chacoon Blue with those of Grossadmiral. Kyle Dewar and Chaccoons Gisa Blue immediately ensured a top ranking during the opening day on Wednesday with a fine2nd place in the 1.40m class, while a day later they recorded a 9th place in the 1.45m class.