The curtain came down on the opening Longines Tops International Arena Summer Classic in spectacular style as an international field of riders battled for CSI4* Grand Prix glory in Valkenswaard. Against the backdrop of buzzing hospitality, packed terraces, live entertainment and one of Europe's finest equestrian venues, the weekend reached a fitting conclusion with a thrilling jump-off under sunny skies.

After a demanding first round designed by course designer Louis Konickx, five combinations returned for the jump-off, where experience, precision and outright speed would decide the winner. It was legendary Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa as last to go who emerged victorious aboard Major Tom, producing two flawless rounds before stopping the clock in a lightning-fast 43.99 seconds in the jump-off to secure the Grand Prix title.

Mexico's Andres Azcarraga pushed the champion all the way aboard Contendros 2, delivering another double clear in 45.60 seconds to claim second place, while Germany's Daniel Deusser completed the podium with Pepita van T Meulenhof BR, finishing clear in 45.85 seconds.

Britain's Sienna Charles continued her excellent weekend aboard Chawton, producing a faultless jump-off in 48.10 seconds to finish fourth, with Jessica Springsteen taking fifth aboard Don Juan van de Donkhoeve after another double clear in 50.51 seconds. France's Nina Mallevaey looked set to challenge for the podium aboard My Clementine, but a single rail in the jump-off left the exciting young talent sixth on four faults in 45.40 seconds.

Australia's Jamie Winning-Kermond and Tulara Wat Colblensky finished seventh after collecting a single time fault in the opening round, while South Africa's Charlie Bays guided Ninety Stone Pullman into eighth with four faults. American Marilyn Little and Heidi von Imhoff claimed ninth, while Luxembourg's Victor Bettendorf rounded out the top ten aboard Gibbs Un Prince as the fastest of the four faulters. 

The Grand Prix once again highlighted the incredible depth of talent assembled in Valkenswaard. Just outside the top ten, Dutch rider Bas Moerings finished 11th aboard Ipsthar, with Australia's Thomas McDermott and Federico Fernandez also picking up four-fault rounds. Several of the sport's biggest names endured frustrating afternoons despite showing flashes of brilliance. Harrie Smolders finished on four faults aboard Mr. Tac, while fellow Dutchman Willem Greve also had a single fence down with Party In de Hus. Belgium's Emilie Conter and Anastasia Nielsen both finished on four faults with Portobella van de Fruitkorf and ESI Rocky respectively, while Edwina Tops-Alexander was another to finish just one fence away from the jump-off aboard Fellow Castlefield.

Elsewhere, Belgian Gilles Thomas finished with five faults aboard Happy Landais, Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann also ended on five faults with Cellagon Cascais, and former class winner Felipe Amaral incurred eight faults aboard Montissima PS. Dutch rider Michael Greeve finished on eight faults with Denver, while Harry Charles, looking to complete a remarkable hat-trick after winning the feature class on both Friday and Saturday, suffered disappointment when Fighting Phil was eliminated. 

Away from the competition arena, the Longines Tops International Arena once again delivered a weekend that extended far beyond world-class sport. Visitors enjoyed exceptional hospitality, premium shopping, live music and entertainment, outstanding food and drink, and the unrivalled facilities that have made Valkenswaard one of Europe's premier equestrian destinations. The relaxed summer atmosphere, combined with elite competition and immaculate footing, created the perfect setting for riders, owners and fans alike to enjoy the opening event of the 2026 Summer Classic series.

With another outstanding weekend of international competition complete, the Longines Tops International Arena now looks to the Summer Showcase from 24 - 26 July. 

CSI2* Big Tour - Zoe Hank Conter claims CSI2* Grand Prix victory in Valkenswaard

The CSI2* Grand Prix at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard attracted a strong field of 57 combinations, with 15 producing faultless first rounds to secure a place in the jump-off.

Before the jump-off even got underway, Britain's Harry Charles opted to withdraw with the 12-year-old mare Lt Holst Freda to save her for another day. Belgium's Zoe Hank Conter was first to return and immediately set the standard. Riding the experienced Swedish Warmblood gelding Loui LN (Kannan x Cartani), she produced a smooth, faultless jump-off in 38.12 seconds—a time that would remain unbeaten.

Several riders came close to challenging the Belgian. Mexico's Carlos Hank Guerreiro rode an attacking round aboard H5 Ceylon Island, while Dutch rider Kevin Jochems also pushed hard with Quianna ter Wijnen. Both delivered clear rounds but fell just short of Conter's benchmark. The closest challenger was Luxembourg's Victor Bettendorf. Riding the BWP gelding Qwando van de Rispen, he produced a fast and committed round to finish in 38.72 seconds, securing second place. Dutch rider Harrie Smolders also mounted a strong challenge with the elegant stallion For Chacco TN. His clear round in 39.18 seconds earned him third place.

Not all of the favourites managed to convert their chances. Friday's qualifier winner Denis Lynch picked up a rail at the double with Katja, ending his hopes of another victory. Brazil's Eduardo Pereira de Menezes actually posted the fastest time of the jump-off with S'Oneill van't Zijp (37.80 seconds), but a fault at the double proved costly. Last to go, Emilie Conter also looked capable of challenging her younger sister's lead, but a rail prevented her from doing so. That left Zoe Hank Conter's opening effort untouched. Her faultless round in 38.12 seconds secured a well-deserved CSI2* Grand Prix victory ahead of Victor Bettendorf in second and Harrie Smolders in third.

CSI2* Medium Tour - Ciaran Nallon Triumphs in Medium Tour

The Medium Tour competition was held on Sunday morning in the sand arena of the Longines Tops International Arena. Irish rider Ciaran Nallon was the fastest in this against-the-clock class with the eight-year-old mare Little Special in Red M (HOLST, I'm Special de Muze x Calido I). Their time of 61.94 seconds proved unbeatable.

The 24-year-old rider is no stranger to the international circuit. Nallon has since developed into a fixture at the highest level and is riding this season as a U25 rider for Riesenbeck International in the Global Champions League.

Second place went to Dutch rider Leopold van Asten with VDL Groep Niagara (HOLST, Casall x Balou de Rouet). The experienced rider, who runs Stoeterij Duyselshof in Hoogeloon and competed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, brought a home-bred product to the start. With a faultless round, he crossed the finish line in 62.37 seconds — less than half a second behind Nallon. Ibrahim Hani Bisharat (JOR) completed the podium with a faultless round in 65.00 seconds with El Nino Bull's Eye Z (ZANG, El Torreo de Muze x Emerald van't Ruytershof).

CSI2* small tour - Georgina Harvey Lazarus Crowned Winner of Small Tour

Australian rider Georgina Harvey Lazarus won the final competition, the Small Tour against-the-clock, of the Summer Classic at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard.

With the 15-year-old SF mare Butterfly Ennemmel (Quaprice Bois Margot x Lux Z), the 33-year-old, who together with her partner Oliver Lazarus runs a stable in Valkenswaard, crossed the finish line in 63.69 seconds. 

British rider Gemma Wright finished second with the eight-year-old gelding Entertainer van Overis Z (ZANG, Emerald x Casper van Erpekom Z) with a time of 66.08 seconds. A commendable performance that confirmed her position among the top riders.

Georgina's partner Oliver Lazarus secured third place with Heat Wave (Cinsey x Kannan). They recorded a time of 71.55 seconds. It was a beautiful conclusion for the couple.

The Lazarus couple represents the international appeal of Valkenswaard: two top riders who have found their footing in the Netherlands and contribute to the growth of show jumping in the region.

CSI1* Grand Prix - Xaviera Maurer Buch races to CSI1* Grand Prix victory in Valkenswaard

The CSI1* Grand Prix provided a spectacular start to the last day of the Summer Classic I on this sunny Sunday morning at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard. A total of 43 combinations came forward, with nine producing faultless first rounds to qualify for the jump-off. The decisive round featured an impressive line-up of promising young horses and rising stars.

The first round proved to be a demanding test, with fence six causing the most problems throughout the class and preventing some combinations from advancing to the jump-off.

Ireland's Niamh Hanley was first to return with the eight-year-old Frozen Pleasure Z (ZANG, For Pleasure x Artos Z). The 19-year-old rider produced a composed round, but two fences down left her on eight faults.

Oliver Lazarus (RSA) immediately raised the bar. Riding the talented eight-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Jansen (Million Dollar x Nintender), he delivered a fast and faultless round in 37.25 seconds to take the early lead.

Brazil's Felipe Amaral saw his chances disappear after a refusal at the double combination aboard Acropolis 111 Z (ZANG, Aganix du Seigneur x Chatman), resulting in 22 time penalties. American rider Meg O'Mara kept all the rails in place with the striking chestnut Nevado de Toluca (SWB, Toulouse x Hector X), producing a smooth and accurate round. Although she couldn't match Lazarus' pace, her clear round secured what would become third place.

Italy's Sofia Manzetti also produced a faultless jump-off with the nine-year-old KWPN gelding Mckingley. Her time of 40.36 seconds was enough to finish fourth. Attention then turned to Ireland's Denis Lynch, winner of Saturday's qualifier and one of the favourites for the Grand Prix. However, his challenge came to an end after a rail at fence six followed by a refusal with the Westphalian stallion Cornet Gold (Cornet Obolensky x Godolphin). Lynch eventually finished seventh.

The winning performance came from Mexico's Xaviera Maurer Buch. The 19-year-old rider attacked the course aboard the nine-year-old OS gelding Chactensky PS, stopping the clock in a lightning-fast 36.84 seconds to take over the lead. Last into the arena was Anastasia Nielsen (MON) with the Hanoverian gelding Kataro (Karajan x Perigueux). The pair delivered a neat clear round but lacked the pace to challenge for the podium, finishing fifth. With a brilliant combination of speed and precision, Xaviera Maurer Buch claimed the CSI1* Grand Prix title. Oliver Lazarus finished second, while Meg O'Mara completed the podium in third.

CSI1* 1.25m - 12-Year-Old Tim ten Berg wins in Valkenswaard

The competition for 1* combinations, an against-the-clock class with jumps up to 1.25m, was won by Dutch rider Tim ten Berg. The 12-year-old Tim keeps his horses with Michael Greeve in Veeningen and is trained by him. The results are clearly paying off.

Tim rode a super-fast time with the eight-year-old ZfDP mare Donna Libera (s. Dominator 2000 Z): 62.73 seconds. An impressive performance for this young talent from Rogat.

Second place went to yesterday's winner: Irish rider Sara Jane Tracy, who crossed the finish line with Nialoma Es (KWPN, Innocent x Flipper d'Elle HN) in 63.05 seconds.

Dutch rider Lisa van Westenbrugge took third place with Chaccking (OS, Chacoon Blue x Stakkato) with a time of 64.45 seconds.

CSI1* 1.15m - 16-Year-Old Hungarian Nóra Jázmin Nagy Triumphs in 1.15m Class

"Youth is the future," as the saying goes, and that certainly rang true in the 1.15m class. 21 combinations started, of which no fewer than 15 jumped clear and qualified for the jump-off immediately after their faultless first round.

The winner was 16-year-old Hungarian rider Nóra Jázmin Nagy. She rode the seven-year-old gelding Chacco across the finish line in 33.72 seconds. A beautiful result for this young rider. Dutch rider Tim ten Berg, who had already won a class earlier today, finished second with the KWPN gelding Edgar 50 (Vink Guidam x Calvaro Z) in a time of 34.26 seconds. The 12-year-old rider from Rogat once again proved his exceptional talent, showing that he stays sharp even at the end of a long competition day.

Third place went to American rider Maren Pittman, who recorded a time of 35.39 seconds with her eight-year-old mare Heaven Star (Casall x Quick Star). With two teenagers on the podium and a 12-year-old in second place, this class once again demonstrated that the new generation of show jumpers is ready to take over.

Young Horses - Victoria Gulliksen claims Young Horses Final in Valkenswaard

The Young Horses Final at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard attracted 42 promising young horses, with 13 combinations producing faultless first rounds to qualify for an exciting jump-off. In the end, Norway's Victoria Gulliksen emerged victorious after setting the fastest clear round of the day.

Ireland's Diarmuid Howley was first to return with the six-year-old Holsteiner stallion Know-How (Kannan x Cornet Obolensky). His clear round in 39.09 seconds immediately set the standard and eventually secured fourth place overall, while also earning the title for best six-year-old of the final.

Fellow Irish rider Ciaran Nallon followed aboard the six-year-old Westphalian mare Zilana (VDL Zirocco Blue x C-Indoctro II). The pair delivered a careful and composed clear round but their time of 42.67 seconds left them outside the top placings. Luxembourg's Victor Bettendorf was next with the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding Charabia de la Roque Z (Comilfo Plus Z x Coltaire Z). Although faultless, his time of 41.69 seconds was not enough to challenge for the lead.

The first real challenge came from Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen aboard the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding G-Force van't Freestveld Z (George Z x Cicero Z van Paemel). Riding with determination, she stopped the clock in 38.33 seconds to move into first place.

France's Rose de Balanda produced another stylish clear with the seven-year-old Selle Français mare Joy de Gaia (Untouchable GFE x Nabab de Rêve), while Roelof Bril guided the seven-year-old KWPN mare Oceans Breeze (Invictus x Wathnan F-One USA) safely home. Neither combination could match Thijssen's pace.

Victoria Gulliksen then produced the winning performance. Riding the elegant seven-year-old Holsteiner stallion Master of Paradise 3 (Manchester van't Paradijs x Catoki), the Norwegian delivered a superb jump-off, crossing the finish line in 37.85 seconds to take the lead.

Dutch rider Marc Houtzager came close with the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding Eastcoast Pommex Z (Emerald x Vigo d'Arsouilles), but his clear round in 39.26 seconds was enough for fifth place. Kevin Jochems lost valuable time after a rail at the double aboard the seven-year-old KWPN mare Osammy (Sam R x Cascarillo).

Italy's Filippo Ferrantelli also produced a smooth clear round with the seven-year-old Selle Français gelding Jango d'LNC (What A Quickstar R x Diamant de Semilly), but his time of 41.34 seconds proved too slow. One of the closest challenges came from France's Olivier Perreau, who had already enjoyed several strong results in Valkenswaard earlier in the week. Riding the seven-year-old stallion Jolicoeur des Joanins (Cicero Z x Untouchable M), he stopped the clock in 38.14 seconds to finish a close second.

Victor Bettendorf had a second opportunity with the highly successful seven-year-old Selle Français gelding Jumbo la Roque (Mylord Carthago HN x Untouchable). Chasing victory, he took every chance, but an unfortunate rail left him on four faults.

Last to go was Dutch rider Michael Greeve aboard the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding Cooper BB Z (Copycat Z x Vleut). A solid clear round in 40.29 seconds earned him sixth place, leaving Gulliksen's winning time untouched. With a brilliant clear round in 37.85 seconds, Victoria Gulliksen claimed victory in the Young Horses Final ahead of Olivier Perreau in second and Sanne Thijssen in third.

FULL RESULTS