Zafiro wins the Rastede Championship

Just over a week ago, Ciarán kicked off the competition weekend at the Oldenburg State Show in Rastede. Riding the 5-year-old Zafiro by Zinedine, bred by Madeleine Winter-Schulze, he finished third in the qualification for the Rastede Championship with a score of 8.4. In the qualification for the 6-year-old horses, Conthargo R by Conthargos earned a score of 8.5 to place fifth, while Zilana, a daughter of VDL Zirocco Blue, received an 8.4 and finished eighth.

In the final of the Rastede Championship for 6-year-old show jumpers, an M** class (1.30m) with two phases, both horses jumped clear in the first phase. However, Conthargo R had one rail down in the second phase and finished eighth overall. Although Zilana recorded the fastest time of the championship, more than two and a half seconds ahead of the competition, two rails down dropped the pair to eleventh place.

The Rastede Championship for 5-year-old show jumpers was a M* class (1.20m) with two rounds. The Riesenbeck combination received a score of 8.5 in the first round and impressed again in the second round. Three different judges awarded scores of 8.5, 8.4 and 8.5 for the second round. With a total score of 33.9 points, the 5-year-old Zinedine son Zafiro claimed victory in the Rastede Championship.

Last weekend, Ciarán competed with the 6-year-old Conthargo R at the Westfalen Week in Münster-Handorf in an M* class for young horses (1.25m), which also served as a qualifier for the Bundeschampionat for 6-year-old horses. A harmonious round was rewarded with a score of 8.7 by the judges, securing qualification for the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf as well as the victory.

At the Teuto Vision Days in Hagen, Philipp ST competed last Thursday. In an M** class (1.30m), he recorded clear rounds with both Ferrari v/h Sassenbroek Z and Wilma SEM to finish in the placings.

In nearby Neuenkirchen, Filippo started on Friday with two young horses, first in an L class for young horses (1.10m) and then in an M* class (1.20m). The 5-year-old India by Mumbai van de Moerhoeve and the 6-year-old Chac Star VDB in de Bus by Conthargos both delivered convincing performances in the two classes. In the first competition, India, bred by Martin Vogel, received a score of 8.5 and won the class. Chac Star VDB in de Bus also impressed with a score of 8.2, finishing third. In the following 1.20m competition, both horses once again produced harmonious rounds and each received a score of 8.0, sharing fifth place.

From Friday to Sunday, Philipp W and Ciarán travelled to the Global Future Champions show in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands. While most classes were aimed at Children, Juniors, Young Riders and Ponies, both riders competed in the CSI2* and CSI4* supporting classes. On Friday, Ciarán won the qualifier for the 2* Grand Prix aboard the 8-year-old Little Special in Red M.

Also on Friday, the 9-year-old Callao L and Philipp finished ninth in a 4* class over 1.45m after producing two clear phases. On Saturday, the 7-year-old Belice (Balou du Rouet x Chacco-Blue) impressed in a 2* class over 1.30m featuring an immediate jump-off. In this format, riders first complete the initial round and, if clear, qualify for the jump-off. Rather than returning later, the jump-off takes place directly after a short pause, meaning the combination remains in the arena for the second course. Belice stayed clear once again in the immediate jump-off and finished sixth.

In the second qualifier for the 2* Grand Prix, the 8-year-old Aberdeen Z and Philipp produced a clear round to secure a placing. In the qualifier for the 4* Grand Prix, it was Kilmister who delivered a fast and clear round with Philipp over the 1.50m course. The 10-year-old son of Diarado finished fourth.