Valkenswaard, The Netherlands – August 11, 2024 – The Grand Prix of Valkenswaard CSI 2* 1.45m offered great sport with a super exciting jump-off. Out of 37 competitors, 12 managed to qualify for that jump-off. Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) became the eventual winner of this hard-fought Grand Prix.

The Dutch Leopold van Asten and brother Mathijs both rode a nice and smooth round but fell short of speed. Leopold came fifth with his time of 44.51 seconds with the elegant grey VDL Groep Kimbel (Casall x Nabab de Reve) and Mathijs came sixth with Sirocco (Balou du Rouet x Guidam). Then it was the turn of Teddy van de Rijt (NED) who always guarantees speed. She went full throttle through the course with 13-year-old Gino (Echo van ‘t Spieveld x Oklund), stopped the clock at 43.26 seconds and took the lead. But that did not last long.

American Jessica Springsteen (USA) and her fierce mare RMF Coco de Talma (Baloubet du Rouet x Cento) entered the arena confidently and it was clear she was on the hunt for a victory. And they succeeded, the duo crossing the finish line in 40.86 seconds. Italian Lorenzo de Luca rode a nice round and was fast but unfortunately had a fault on course.

Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) also made a good effort with Dixie Moon (Diamantino x Baltimore), but Jessica’s time proved difficult to improve. A third place for Philippaerts.

Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani (QAT) and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) could not catch Springsteen either. But Eduardo Pereira de Menezes showed it could be even faster with Calypso des Matis (Padock du Plessis HN x Tresor de Cheux). He flew over the fences with short turns and a fast pace and improved Springsteen’s time by 2 seconds. The combinations after him, Henk van de Pol (NED), Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) and Wilm Vermeir (BEL) could not match the Brazilian’s time.

The 44-year-old Brazilian who lives in Belgium was happy with the result and his horse. “My horse felt great. He is one of those horses where when he is having a good day he is difficult to beat. He is really fast and really careful. I felt like after number 4 in the first round he stretched one time and it was a big ask in the triple but he was good and then I felt I had a chance to go. Once he is clear in the first round he is a real threat in the jump-off.”

Final Results – €28,200 Grand Prix of Valkenswaard CSI 2*

1) Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) & Calypso des Matis – 0 / 0 – 38.86

2) Jessica Springsteen (USA) & Coco de Talma – 0 / 0 – 40.86

3) Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) & Dixie Moon – 0 / 0 – 41.92

Source: Press Release from LTIA – Longines Tops International Arena

Photos: © LTIA – Longines Tops International Arena

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