Omer Karaevli denies Kevin Jochems of home win in Tops International Arena CSI4* Grand Prix on thrilling final day showdown

Omer Karaevli and Cheston de la Pomme d'Or Z flew to the top of the leader board after an exciting10-rider jump-off in the spectacular grass arena at Tops International Arena beating local Dutch rider Kevin Jochems by just 0.10s.

Last to go home hero Jochems galloped flat out to the final fence on the bouncy Cornetboy to stop the clock in 40.37 sec securing second place just ahead of Andres Azcarraga and Contendros who took third place on the podium today. Gregory Bodo built a testing but fair 1.55m track on the final day of the first event of the season at Tops International Arena with many top combinations taking part under the summer sun.

After his win, Omer Karaevli explained: “ I am very happy to be able to ride here at the amazing venue of Tops International Arena which has perfect footing, stables and organization.”

Earlier in the week world class French rider Penelope Leprevost declared the show: “In my opinion this is one of the best shows in the world. The grass arena is just amazing.”

The action at Tops International Arena doesn’t stop there as next week's CSI5* kicks off from 15 - 17 July limited tickets are still available - please follow the link below.

It was a busy final day of top spot as the young horses kicked off with the final for six and seven-year-old horses. The audience saw 12 combinations return to the jump-off. The Brazilian Ricardo Correa Reinert was first in the ring and delivered a neat clear round with Chakiro PS (OS, Chacoon Blue x Stakkato) in a time of 36.67. However, France's Pénélope Leprevost directly bettered the time with Vanquish Z (Zang, Vagabond de la Pomme x Calypso III) and set the time at 35.74.

Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir took all the risk and went full speed between fence four (double) and five, where he managed to win a lot of time with Eytuka of Two Notes Z (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Chin Chin). The time to beat was now 33.99. Dutchman Kevin Jochems had clearly set his sights on victory and had a good pace. He took over the lead with Looks Good de Liebri Z (Lector van den Bisschop x Bently van de Heffinck). But that was not fast enough either, Abdel Säid went one step further with Bullseye 111 Z (Bamako de Muze x Dere Senaat 111) and stopped the clock at 33.81.

The audience held its breath when Italian Emanuele Gaudiano entered the ring as the last starter. The Italian is known as a very fast rider and he did what he does best, crossing the finish line in 32.43 seconds with Cor VD Kattevennen Z (Cornet Obolensky x Heartbreaker). Gaudiano was very happy with the result: "My father bought Cor two years ago and I started riding him when he was six years old. He loves to win. We have won two classes here and last week we won all three in Italy," he said of his horse and continued, "He is a very nice stallion and I hope I can start riding him in big competitions. I have great expectations for the future for him." The 36-year-old rider, who lives in Germany, has been coming to Tops International Arena since 2016. "It's great that the young horses get the opportunity to jump on this super grass surface. They learn so much from it."

Of the 46 competitors in the CSI2* Grand Prix, 14 returned in the jump-off. Mexican Andres Azcarraga set the tone with his clear round in a very fast time. He crossed the finish line with the OS mare Cloubette PS in 37.14 seconds. Many tried to beat this time, with Kevin Jochems and Pénélope Leprevost coming close. But then American Adrienne Sternlicht entered the arena and it was immediately clear that she was on a mission. From the start, she had a good pace with the Oldenburg Bennys Legacy (Lupicor x Voltaire) and flew through the course to stop the clock at 35.82. A beautiful ride that was good for the victory. A round that was good for first place. Azcarraga therefore finished second and Jochems was third with Shanroe Peeters (Dallas VDL x Condios).

"I couldn't have been happier with my horse. He jumped fantastic, especially in the jump-off. I think he loved it here on the beautiful grass," said a proud Adrienne. "I have a strong partnership with my horse. I have been riding him for three years now and when he is in shape he is unbelievable to ride. Normally I ride him in bigger competitions so for him it is nice to run some smaller competitions, like this 2*, for once." Normally she lives in America between Connecticut and Florida, but now she has her horses in Germany with top Irish rider Bertram Allen.

The CSI2* 1.35m (against the clock) was won by Italian Marta Bottanelli and her Donner IK (OS, Deauville by T L x Champs Elysees). "I am super happy with this victory," said an enthusiastic Marta. "I think it's super here and such a beautiful venue. I have been riding Donner for two years now and we have a really good bond. She is very competitive and has already achieved many good placings. I hope we can continue the upward trend." Second place was for Dutch Kim Jacobs and the KWPN mare Hatricia van Beek. Polish rider Msciwoj Kiecon repeated his result from yesterday and finished third with Cicero (OS, Cordess 2 x Capitol II).

Following that the CSI2* 1.40m, in which the riders did their jump-off immediately after a clear round, became a little Dutch party. Only a few kilometres away from home Henk van de Pol managed to win the class. He rode two clear rounds with Cayenne de Clarence (SF, Baloubet du Rouet x Alfa d'Elle) in a time of 31.52 seconds. Second place was for Gert-Jan Bruggink with Vigalio Sho Z (BWP, Vigo d'Arsouilles x Come On) with a time of 32.81. The American Gigi Moynihan came third with Ovito van de Looise Heide (BWP, Hunters Scendro x Kashmir van Schuttershof).

The list of participants of the CSI1* Grand Prix counted 30 combinations of which 15 stayed clear in the first round. In the jump off it was the Italian Manfredi Macchiarella who delivered the first clear round with Joverla (KWPN, Namelus R x Hors la Loi II) in 43.43 seconds. Dutchman Gert-Jan Bruggink was the next to go clear with Kasilias Eas Sho Z (Kannan x Kennedy), crossing the line faster in 40.53 seconds. However, it was the Belgian Tim Van Den Broeck who realised the fastest round with the beautiful BWP gelding Pepper van de Bucxtale (Chaman x Boris van het Kluizebos). His time, 39.88, was the best, even though Chilean Agustin Covarrubias made a serious attempt with Zelindia (MIPAAF, Cristo x Tenor de la Cour). This earned him a second place.

Also in the CSI1* 1.25m (direct on time) the Belgian flag flew at the prize-giving. This time it was Kasper De Boeck who claimed victory with his KWPN mare Gerenia (Cantos). He was over 6 seconds faster than second-placed Adamus Bartosz (POL) with Dixon, a descendant of top horse Verdi TN from Maikel van der Vleuten. Third place was also for a Belgian rider: Tom Dhaeyere who had saddled Pyta van de Oude Heihoef (BWP, Diamant de Semilly x Casantos) for this competition.

First on Friday, second on Saturday and now first again on the last day of Summer Event I. Swiss rider August Fuchs was by far the fastest in the jump-off of the CSI1* 1.15m class with Elegance III (KWPN, Whitesnake x Amethist). He also took third place with Darina V (Holst, Cardenio 2 x Corofino II). Germany's Katharina Josephine Bombis came second with Captain Caracho D (Westf, Colestus x Ferragamo).