Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and Quadrado claimed their first CSI4 Grand Prix victory together as the Longines Global Future Champions concluded in spectacular fashion at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard.
After three days of top-level international competition, the curtain came down on another successful edition of the Longines Global Future Champions, an event that brings together elite showjumpers and the sport’s most promising young riders. Sunday’s CSI4* Grand Prix provided a fitting finale, attracting many of the world’s leading athletes and emerging stars.
Course designer Peter Schumacher produced a flowing first-round test that resulted in a competitive 12-horse jump-off, setting the stage for an exciting battle for victory.
When it mattered most, Sergio Alvarez Moya and the 10-year-old Quadrado produced the fastest double-clear round of the day, stopping the clock in 41.81 seconds to secure their first CSI4* Grand Prix win as a partnership.
Speaking after the victory, Alvarez Moya said:“It’s our first 4 Grand Prix victory together, and I think it’s a nice reward after a couple of years building the partnership. Quadrado has been improving all the time, and this week he jumped fantastic.”*
The Spaniard also praised his horse’s effort throughout the week, adding:“He gave me everything today, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Britain’s Harry Charles, who won Saturday’s 4* Grand Prix Qualifier, continued his strong form to finish second aboard LT Holst Freda in 43.64 seconds. Denmark’s Andreas Schou completed the podium with Riverdale van’t Poezelhof after another composed double-clear effort in 43.93 seconds.
Home favourite Harrie Smolders narrowly missed out on a podium place after a single rail in the jump-off relegated him to fourth, while rising star Zayna Rizvi impressed once again to secure fifth place with Exquise du Pachis against some of the sport’s biggest names.
Elsewhere across the final day, Brazil’s Yuri Mansur won the CSI2* Grand Prix aboard Incanto VDL, while American rider Vani Khosla topped the CSI2* 1.30m speed class. Dutch rider Chiara van der Linden dominated the CSI2* 1.20m competition by securing both first and second places.
The future of showjumping was also on full display throughout the week. Italy’s Giulia Pasquini claimed victory in the CSIY Grand Prix, Switzerland’s Victoria Scherbakov won the Junior Grand Prix, Belgium’s Noé Vochten lifted the Children’s Grand Prix title, while Dutch pony rider Charlène Baan secured CSIP Grand Prix honours.
With another successful Longines Global Future Champions now complete, attention turns to the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, which returns to the Longines Tops International Arena from 4-6 September as the race towards the season-ending finals continues.
Feature image: Sergio Alvarez Moya and Quadrado emerged victorious after a thrilling 12-horse jump-off Longines Global Champions Tour, Valkenswaard
