Toulayna tops the Z-Ranking list

At Studbook Zangersheide, appreciation for the Z-horse breeders is paramount. To make the efforts and successes of breeders visible worldwide, the Z-Ranking was created a few years ago. In it, the achievements of Z-horses at international competitions are monitored, so that their sporting merits are clearly mapped out. On Saturday afternoon, the breeders of the three best Z-horses of the past year were honoured. A festive moment that once again underlined the important role of breeders within the Z family.

Golden Toulayna

The honourary title of the best Zangersheide horse of the past year went to the 11-year-old mare Toulayna, a daughter of Toulon and Parco who was born as Toulayna van het Bloesemhof Z at her breeder Jasper Doucé. Toulayna was trained by Jasper Doucé and a few years ago ended up with top American rider Kent Farrington via the Philippaerts family. The rest is now history.

Last year, the duo had a series of impressive victories and placings of honour: a win twice in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Ocala, a victory in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Thermal and a top^2nd place at the prestigious Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Geneva. They also made their presence felt at the LGCT Grand Prix in St. Tropez and recently in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Rockwood in Canada with a^2nd place. Thanks to these top performances, Toulayna earned no less than over 700,000 euros in prize money. For her breeder Jasper Doucé, these exceptional performances yielded a nice reward: he received an 8,000 euro premium, in recognition of his important role in the birth and early development of this international star.

Silver Bisquetta

In second place in the Z-Ranking we find the also 11-year-old mare Bisquetta (Bisquet Balou van de Mispelaere x Takashi van Berkenbroeck), who was born to British breeder Claire McCarthy-Winters as Bisquetta Squalls Estate Z. For several years now, she has formed a successful combination with American rider Laura Kraut and together they have already built up an impressive record. Last year alone, they earned almost 550,000 euros in prize money.

This impressive earnings came about thanks to some resounding victories and podium finishes. For instance, they managed to win the CSIO5* Dublin Grand Prix, where they were the only ones to clear the course. They were also on the podium at the CSIO5* Grand Prix of St. Tropez, the CSI5* Grand Prix of Wellington and the CSI4* Grand Prix of Maastricht and Ocala.

Bronze Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z

The top 3 of the Z-Ranking was completed by Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z, the son of Indoktro-K van 't Kattenheye and Vagabond de la Pomme from the breeding farm of Tony Raman and Mieke Strobbe. Under the saddle of Belgian rider Thibeau Spits, Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z already shone in 2024 with his victory at the LGCT Grand Prix of Riesenbeck International and that line was continued over the past year So, of course, they were part of the Belgian équipe that won gold at the European Championship in La Coruna last summer and that line was continued over the past year. Last summer, they were part of the Belgian équipe that won gold at the European Championship in La Coruna and jumped several clear rounds in the Nations Cup season. Furthermore, they earned a ^4th place at the LGCG Super Grand Prix in Riyadh and most recently also a ^5th place at the Global Champions League in New York.