The second qualifying round for six-year-old show jumpers got underway this morning at 08h10 in the familiar Ramiro Z Arena. The young talents were once again presented with a 1.35m course, but this time they also jumped against the clock. Speed and precision went hand in hand in the battle for the top placings.
A total of 241 combinations lined up at the start of this second qualifier, of which 57 completed the course clear of faults. Belgian rider Thierry Goffinet was the fastest of the bunch with the mare Quelle Valse CT Z, a daughter of Quelle Homme de Hus and Mozart des Hayettes, bred by Casais and Virginie Thonon. Goffinet and Quelle Valse CT Z raced to the finish line in 64.14 seconds, leaving the competition behind them.
Second place went to the Irish rider Niamh McEvoy with the gelding Doris V Z, a son of Dourkhan Hero Z and Etoulon, bred in the Netherlands by the Veldman brothers. McEvoy, who went on to win gold in the five-year-olds in 2024, guided Doris V Z clear of faults through the course, clocking a time of 64.93 seconds.
Following their fourth place yesterday, British rider William Rekert and the gelding Corinio Z – a son of Columbus Z and Stakkato Gold, born at breeder Mario Everse’s stud – also secured a podium place this time. Rekert and Corinio Z finished in 65.85 seconds after a flawless round, securing third place.
Fourth and fifth places went respectively to the Hungarian rider Gyula Szuhai Jr. on the stallion Doha Z (Diarado x Comme Il Faut – breeder: van Dooren J.G.N.E.) and to the Belgian rider Stef Bossarts with the gelding Dax van de Litzemaere Z (Diamant de Semilly x Hamlet – breeder: Martine Gils), respectively.
