Release date: 05/08/2011 |    

Friday 5th August

The Young Horse class was a combined event of 6 and 7 year old horses over a two-phase competition. The 6 year olds jumped before the course was raised and the 7 year olds showed what they were made of.

Nineteen 6 year olds and fifteen 7 year olds contested with victory going to the 7 year old bay mare Zanuschka by Sheraton out of an Emilion mare.(above) Ridden by Dutch rider Rob Haijligers the pair, who were out latter in the draw finished clean in a time of 30.04.

“I have had this horses since a 5 year old, “ said Rob. “She is careful, with a bit of blood and a little sensitive but she has won a lot of classes. The mare competed in the World Championship Young horses in Lanarken as a 5 year old and has a lot of good performances on her card.”

The Verhoeven family are the owner breeders and are enjoying seeing the horse compete. ”We are very happy with the performance today and really like to see a horse we have bred do well,” commented Mrs Verhoeven adding, “we continue to breed with the mother of this mare.”

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) was second with the 6 year old stallion VDL Groep Astra in a time of 30.90 seconds. The stylish chestnut is by Air Jordan x Fortissimo. (above)

“The VDL Groep have owned this horse since it was a foal,” explained Maikel. “It has been in the VDL Young Horse training barn in Hoogeloon, near Eindhoven, until it came to me 2 years ago. The horse has good balance, is nice to ride and has a good way of going. We want to give him every chance to see if he can be his best. He is approved by Zangersheide and we will continue to pursue his stallion classification.”

Third to yet another Dutch rider Gerco Schroder with the stallion Eurocommerce VDL Groep Zagreb (32.41secs). By Querlybet Hero x Heartbreaker (below)

Photo credits: Sportfot/www.sportfot.com

FULL RESULTS available at http://results.scgvisual.com/2011/valkenswaard/