Release date: 14/08/2011 |    

The final event of the two-week Horse Festival in Valkenswaard drew to a close with a near Dutch victory for Maikel van der Vleuten.  He just didn’t quite reach the early time set by Irishman Denis Lynch.

It was a close contest as six expert combinations rode off.  Denis Lynch (IRL), first to go on course, Eric van der Vleuten and his son Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) who would be last to go in the jump-off. Edwina Alexander (AUS), Guy Williams (GBR) and Alvaro de Miranda Neto (BRA) were all in the mix.

Lynch was very, very fast and as clean as a whistle with Night Train setting 42.00 seconds to beat.  VDL Groep Utascha ridden by Eric van der Vleuten went clean but were adrift with their time of 47.54 seconds.

The only lady in the group of men Edwina Alexander (AUS) was out on Ciske van Overis. (below) The mare has a big canter and covers a lot of ground.  They went clean in 45.21seconds but not as fast Lynch’s time.

Alvaro de Miranda Neto had a very good start with AD Wilbert angling every fence, landing and turning directly but a rail was pulled at the Eurosport vertical and they rode home in 43.09 seconds. An indication that Lynch’s time was amazingly quick.

Guy William’s attempts to angle the first fence on Titus resulted in an error and they slowed to finished in 52.88 seconds and into fifth place.

It would have been nice to finish the show with a Dutch victory and Maikel van der Vleuten certainly pulled out all stops to just do that.  His posted clear round time of 43.65 seconds with VDL Groep Sapphire B just fell fractionally short of Lynch’s time.

Lynch was more than happy for the win after a very successful weekend. “This event is a real lucky one for me,” smiled Denis as he walked back to the stables in the pouring rain. “I won the same event here last year but on a different horse. This and second in the Grand Prix yesterday as well as last year is just great.”

Denis now heads for a holiday with his wife and daughter before making plans to possibly ride in Rotterdam. “I don’t plan too far ahead with shows as with horses things can go amiss.  However I will see you all in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the next Global Champions Tour.”

photo credits: Stefano Grasso