Lanaken, Belgium – September 21, 2023 – After we were able to enjoy the first qualifier of the Belgian Championship for Seniors yesterday during the opening day, the 2023 FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship For Young Horses really started today with the first qualifiers for the young horses. The 7-year-old horses traditionally made their appearance at the central located Ratina Z Arena and the Belgian course designer Bernard Mathy and his team had built a 2-phase class for them over a height of 1.40m.
More than 200 combinations appeared at the start during this first qualifier and it was ultimately the Greek rider Angelos Touloupis (GRE) who managed to jump to the victory with the Holteiner stallion Kannandillo, a son of Kannan and Candillo Z who was bred in Germany by Nicole Hanneken . Touloupis and Kannandillo only started in the last part of the class and with a flawless 2nd phase in 27.13 seconds they had more than a full second lead over the competition.
2nd place went to the Dutch lady rider Sanne Thijssen (NED) with the Westphalian mare Chiara VDH, a daughter of Chacco Blue and Mr. Blue who was bred by Stal Wezenberg. Thijssen and Chiara VDH seemed to be on their way to the victory for a long time after a flawless 2nd phase in 28.35 seconds, but after the round of Touloupis and Kannandillo they had to settle for first place of honors.
The Italian rider Emilio Bicocchi (ITA) secured 3rd place during this qualifier with the Italian-bred stallion Excaliburg (Kannan x Euro Star – B: Giuseppe Marcello Casini). After a double clear round they managed to stop the clock in 29.10 seconds.
The German lady rider Kendra Claricia Brinkop with the BWP gelding Quercus van den Oude Eik (Jenson van ‘t Meulenhof x Darco – B: Gert Dierickx) and the Emirati Abdullah Mohd Al Marri with the KWPN stallion Lucardo O (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Heartbreaker – F: P. Oosterbosch) were the other combinations that managed to reach the top 5 of the rankings.
Final Standings – FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championship for horses of 7-years of Age after First Qualifier
1) Angelos Touloupis (GRE) & Kannandillo – 0 / 0 – 27.13
2) Sanne Thijssen (NED) & Chiara VDH – 0 / 0 – 28.35
3) Emilio Bicocchi (ITA) & Excaliburg – 0 / 0 – 29.10
Source: Press Release from Zangersheide
Photos: © Zangersheide / Sportfot
