02 January '26
Airco de L'Esprit Z impresses in the Mechelen World Cup
© Paardenfotograaf
The Nekkerhal in Mechelen was once again the Mecca of Belgian equestrian sports between Christmas and New Year with the 43rd edition of Jumping Mechelen. For five days, spectators could once again enjoy atmosphere, conviviality and, above all, all facets of equestrian sport. Within the jumping event, the Longines FEI Jumping Word Cup was undoubtedly the highlight of the week, featuring a Z-horse as one of the standouts.
Last Tuesday's Mechelen World Cup was the seventh leg in the Western European League and brought a total of 40 combinations to the start. Belgian course designer Bart Vonck and his team had once again laid out a fantastic course. The 1.60m high basic course initially seemed spicy and challenging enough, but in the end five combinations managed to finish the round. First in line was Swedish rider Marcus Westergren with the 12-year-old grey stallion Airco de L'Esprit Z, a son of Air Jordan Alpha Z and Quantum born to breeder Nico Esprit. Westergren and Airco de L'Esprit Z were allowed to start in the jump-off and immediately did so with a particularly strong performance. They opened very sharply, but in their haste unfortunately saw a bar roll out of the scoops on the second element of the double jump. In doing so, they crossed the finish line in 42.34 seconds, finally securing a handsome2nd place;
Marcus Westergren: "My plan is actually always the same: win if I can (laughs). In the double jump I had to slow down a bit too much, which was technically not ideal. But what an atmosphere here. The audience supported not only the Belgians, but really everyone. That was incredible to experience."
On Monday evening in Mechelen, the Grand Prix Sport Vlaanderen could already be enjoyed and some Z-horses managed to jump into the picture. One of them was the 11-year-old grey gelding Chuck Marienshof Z, a son of Colestus and Emerald van 't Ruytershof bred by Johny De Coninck and Sandra Ecker of Stal Marienshof. Under the saddle of former Belgian Champion Gilles Thomas, Chuck Marienshof Z won the CSI4* Grand of Stockholm in early December and the duo's good form was once again confirmed in Mechelen. They stayed clear in the basic round and were thus among the ten combinations that managed to qualify for the ultimate jump-off. In it, they had the luxury of being the very last combination to reappear in the ring and also made a great attempt to write this section on their record of achievements as well. They finished with 4 penalties in 37.35 seconds, taking 4th place.
Besides Gilles Thomas, his compatriot Mike van Olst also managed to qualify for the jump-off with the also 11-year-old mare Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z, a daughter of Comme Il Faut and Canabis Z bred by NV ODTH. Van Olst and Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z also saw a fault in the jump-off and their finishing time of 38.14 seconds entitled them to 6th place.
Furthermore, Belgian rider Gudrun Patteet also produced some strong performances in the five-star competition. On Sunday, she jumped to 5th place during the 1.50m main class with the 11-year-old mare Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z (Comme Il Faut x Chacco Blue - breeder: Evelyne Van Vreckom), while she claimed 7th place during the 1.45m class on Monday with the 12-year-old stallion Sea Coast Enjoy Z (Enjoy van de Kromsteeg Z - Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Parco - breeder Ann Van Putte).
Finally, two Z-horses also managed to win prizes in the 1.40m class on Sunday afternoon. 3rd place went to Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz with the 10-year-old gelding Dillen 111 Z (De Flor 111 Z x Clovis - breeder: Stud 111) and a little further down the ranking, 5th place was taken by Belgian rider Jeroen Appelen with the also 10-year-old gelding Gently Z (First Gentleman x Numero Uno - breeder: Schoof & Vullers).