Michael Pender and HHS Venice unbeatable in first qualifier for seven-year-olds

After the exciting first round of the Belgian Senior Championship yesterday, the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses really got underway today. The first qualifying classes for the young horses were on the programme, marking the start of a long-awaited week full of top talent. Although the weather conditions on this opening day were far from ideal, loyal horse lovers did not let this stop them. They travelled in large numbers to Lanaken to see the world's best 5-, 6- and 7-year-old show jumpers in action for the first time.

The first qualification for the seven-year-old horses kicked off this morning at our centrally located Ratina Z Arena, and it quickly became clear that the level was sky-high. The challenging course, designed by Belgian course designer Bernard Mathy and his team, was at a height of 1.40m and tested the young talents on technique, power and speed. Of the 195 combinations that appeared at the start, as many as 105 managed to stay clear over both phases of the course. 

The absolute standout was Irish rider Michael Pender, who appeared as one of the last combinations in the ring with the Irish-bred mare HHS Venice (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Heritage Fortunus), bred by Bravo Hughes Ltd. With a whirlwind round in 28.85 seconds, Pender set an unbeatable time and showed that he should be seriously reckoned with again this year. Pender knows the Lanaken stage like no other: last year he was crownedf World Champion in the seven-year-olds with HHS Mercedes and this year he seems determined to match that success.

Thanks to his lightning-fast round, Pender thus managed to manouvre French rider Emeric George to ^2nd place. George had taken the lead early in the class with the Selle Français mare Iloa du Ru (Nervoso x Vagabon de la Pomme - Breeder: S.A.R.L. Uranie) after a clear second phase in 28.94 seconds. For a long time, that seemed enough for victory, but after Pender's impressive performance, the Frenchman eventually had to settel for second place.

German rider Kendra Claricia Brinkop and the BWP stallion Sniper des Lilas Blancs (Hamilton du Chapitre x Calvaro Z - breeder: Simon-Pierre Herbiet) signed up for ^3rd place. This duo, who already impressed with a silver medal in the six-year-olds last year, confirmed their class today with another flawless round and a finishing time of 29.06 seconds.