Z-class horses dominate the Belgian Championships for 7-year-old horses

Last week, the Hazebroek family’s Azelhof in Lier not only hosted an international event, but also once again provided the setting for the Belgian Championships for 7-year-old horses. It proved to be another great success for Zangersheide, as after a thrilling finale, both the gold and silver medals went to horses in blue and yellow.

This edition of the Belgian Championships once again boasted a particularly strong field of competitors. During the first qualifying rounds on Thursday and Friday, no fewer than 214 rider-horse pairs took to the arena, with the best 64 qualifying for the grand final on Sunday afternoon. There, the competitors were presented with a technical and selective course designed by course designer Eddy Geysemans and his team. Ultimately, thirteen pairs managed to complete that basic round clear of faults, thereby securing a place in the decisive jump-off.

After a sensational jump-off, it was Pieter Clemens who was crowned the new Belgian champion with the mare Emely vd Kukkelberg Z, a daughter of El Barone 111 and Carano from Marc Schoels’ stud farm. Clemens and Emely vd Kukkelberg Z, who had already demonstrated their fine form on several occasions in recent weeks, also managed to keep their cool in the jump-off. With a flawless round in a time of 36.81 seconds, they secured the national title and, moreover, finished almost two full seconds ahead of their closest rivals.

The silver medal also took on a blue-and-yellow hue thanks to Sacha Beghuin and the mare La Fee Sauveniere Z, a daughter of Luigi d’Eclipse and President from the stud farm of Fabienne Daigneux-Lange. La Fee Sauveniere Z’s dam is the mare Baby Fee des Hazalles, who herself jumped up to 1.50m level. Beghuin and La Fee Sauveniere Z also managed to complete the jump-off clear, clocking a time of 38.59 seconds.

Furthermore, the Colombian rider Dayro Arroyave also made it to the top of the rankings with the gelding Dom Papa Des Séquoïas Z, a son of Di Cantero van ter Hulst and Saccor from the Elevage Des Séquoïas stud. Dom Papa Des Séquoïas Z comes from a particularly successful dam line and is a half-brother to the Grand Prix horses Fee Des Sequoïas Z (Figaro du Ri d’Asse), Extra des Sequoïas (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve) and Tequila des Sequoias Z (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve). Arroyave rode Dom Papa Des Séquoïas Z to a clear round in the jump-off, finishing in 40.30 seconds, which ultimately left them just off the podium in^4th place.