Silver for Kurt D Z in the CSIO3* World Cup in Budapest

Although there was no Nations Cup on the programme at five-star level last weekend, there was once again competition between various countries at three-star level. The Hungarian capital, Budapest, provided the backdrop for a new round of the Longines EEF Series. A large number of Z-class horses also took to the start line, with a top-three finish at the CSIO3* World Cup standing out as the absolute highlight.

Following the Longines EEF Series Nations Cup on Friday afternoon, all eyes were on the CSIO3* World Cup in Budapest on Sunday morning, the other highlight of a busy international weekend. The 1.55m-high basic round proved to be a considerable challenge, as only five of the sixty combinations managed to complete the course without penalty points. One of those five was the top Austrian rider Max Kühner and the 9-year-old gelding Kurt D Z, a son of Kentucky van ’t Ruytershof and Comme Il Faut, bred in Germany by Dietrich Denker. Kühner and Kurt D Z, who had won a class in Fontainebleau, France, back in April, also managed to ride a flawless jump-off and, with a finishing time of 39.02 seconds, secured a fine^second place.

^Eighth place in this CSIO3* World Cup went to the Dutch rider Logan Fiechter and the nine-year-old gelding Apphire H Z, a son of our chestnut stallion Aganix du Seigneur Z , and Mr. Blue, bred by Stal ’t Hofstee in the Netherlands. Fiechter and Apphire H Z picked up four penalty points in the first round, but thanks to a fast finishing time, they still managed to secure a top-10 placing.

On Saturday, Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz made a name for himself riding the 10-year-old gelding Dillen 111 Z, a son of De Flor 111 Z and Clovis, bred by the Theeuwes family at Stud 111. Schmitz and Dillen 111 Z, who had already put in several strong performances in recent weeks, lined up at the start of the 1.45m speed class, where they also took^second place after a clear round.

Also on Saturday, the Brazilian rider Joao Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima made a name for himself with the 8-year-old mare Apart Die Lady Br Z (Apardi x Carambole), bred by R.U. van Bommel. In the 1.40m class, they produced a clear round, finishing in^fifth place.

During the Longines EEF Series Nations Cup on Friday afternoon, Irish rider Mark McAuley achieved a strong result with the 9-year-old stallion Clooney van Spalbeek Z, a son of Comilfo Plus Z and Diamant de Semilly, bred by Frans Liefsoens. They delivered a flawless performance in both the first and second rounds, making them one of the standout performers of the day.

Last but certainly not least, there was also success for the Balou du Reventon Z line thanks to the Hungarian rider Rodrigo Szuhai and the 12-year-old gelding Cornet (Balou du Reventon x Lasangos). On Friday, they were crowned the overall winners of the 1.40m class, where their clear round in 57.13 seconds gave them a lead of well over a full second over the rest of the field.