Z-horses help ensure gold in Aachen Nations Cup

With the renowned Aachen CHIO last week, we were once again in for one of the most iconic and prestigious equestrian events of the year. For more than a week, the impressive Soers grounds were once again the mecca of equestrian sport, where the absolute world's best competed in various disciplines. One of the absolute highlights of the week was undoubtedly the Mercedes Benz Nations Cup on Thursday, in which some Zangersheide horses played a notable role.

The Mercedes Benz Nations Cup has been a regular feature on the programme of the CHIO in Aachen for many years and is one of the absolute classics in show jumping. This year, too, the prestigious Nations Cup was traditionally completed over two rounds, where the level was sky-high and the tension was cut to the very last jumping moment. The audience was treated to a thrilling denouement, in which the American team eventually emerged victorious with a final score of just four penalty points. This was also a success for our blue and yellow studbook colours, as two of the four horses in the US team had a letter 'Z' after their names. Both Kent Farrington with the 10-year-old mare Toulayna (ex-Toulaynavan het Bloesemhof Z - Toulon x Parco - Breeder: Jasper Doucé) and Laura Kraut with the 11-year-old mare Bisquetta (ex-BisquettaSqualls Estate Z - Bisquet Balou van de Mispelaere x Takashi van Berkenbroeck - Breeder: Claire McCarthy-Winters) each delivered a clear round and thus had a decisive share in the American triumph.

Apart from the Mercedes Benz Nations Cup, there was of course a lot more going on on Aachen's hallowed turf, and several Z-horses managed to put their best foot forward in that event too. On Wednesday evening, for example, the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe saw Israeli rider Daniel Bluman and his 10-year-old grey mare Corbie V.V. Z, a daughter of Cornet Obolensky and Chacco Blue, with the two letters V referring to breeder Evelyne Van Vreckom, achieve a top ranking. Bluman and Corbie V.V. Z were one of thirteen combinations to complete the 1.60m long basic round successfully, qualifying for the jump-off. In it, they again provided an unparalleled round, which finally earned them^2nd place in the standings.

Another notable combination in Aachen was Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and the 9-year-old chestnut gelding Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, a breeding product of the van Rossem family of Mivaro BVBA who combined the blood of Comme Il Faut with that of Lord Z. Sweetnam and Coriaan van Klapscheut already put their nose to the window for the first time on Thursday with a ^5th place in the 1.50m class, but experienced their highlight during the 1.55m Allianz-Prize on Saturday. Both during the first round and the 'Winning Round', Sweetnam and Coriaan van Klapscheut did not make a mistake and this performance was also good for^2nd place.

Furthermore, German rider Rene Dittmer also had a successful weekend with the 13-year-old chestnut mare Echo vh Gerendal Z, a daughter of Echo van 't Spieveld and Jodokus who was born in the Netherlands to the Verhey family of Gerendal Stables. Dittmer and Echo vh Gerendal Z started their competition on Wednesday with a ^7th place in the 1.45m class and on Sunday morning they closed with a great ^3rd place in the 1.45m high speed class.

There were also two top 10 placings for Dittmer's compatriot Sophie Hinners with the 9-year-old chestnut mare Iron Dames Kaleni Jo SV Z, a daughter of Kannan and Indoctro bred in the Netherlands by Verhoeven Stables. Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo SV Z were good for ^9th place in that 1.45m class on Wednesday, while they secured ^10th place in the Allianz-Prize on Saturday.

Finally, in the Youngster Tour, British rider Ben Maher managed to secure two podium finishes with the 8-year-old gelding Maddox VH Haringvliet Z, the son of Monte Bellini and Ogano Sitte who was bred by the Hoekstra family and with whom Jelmer Hoekstra won bronze in the 6-year-old horses at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in 2023. Maher and Maddox VH Haringvliet Z jumped to a nice ^3rd place on Thursday and during the final class on Saturday evening they did just one more place with a brilliant^2nd place.