Breeding

FEI World Championships

Jumping

Lanaken showcases the best of young horse breeding and talent

The FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses brought out the finest five-, six-, and seven-year-old jumping horses, with several familiar bloodlines making their mark once again....

Equestrian Life

Published 24 Sep 2024

The FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2024 in Lanaken, Belgium concluded after several days of intense competition, with entries from across the world showcasing the best of young horse breeding and talent. Held at the renowned Zangersheide, this year’s event brought out the finest five-, six-, and seven-year-old jumping horses, with several familiar bloodlines making their mark once again.

5-Year-Olds

The five-year-old final saw a strong field of competitors after two rounds of qualifiers, with 54 combinations making it to the ultimate test. Out of the initial 232 entries, 108 jumped clear in the first qualifier, demonstrating the depth of talent in this age category. In the Final, 20 horses contested the jump-off.

Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy secured the top spot with Orange de Baugy, posting a faultless round in a time of 36.15 seconds, going one-better on her second placing from last year’s final in this age category. Bred by L.A. Geertzema and owned by GBBS International Ltd., the KWPN mare (Dominator Z x Barbarian) impressed with consistent performances throughout the competition. McEvoy’s jump-off round set a high standard, placing her over two seconds ahead of her closest competitor.

Italy’s Diego Pagano with Zuly (Zirocco Blue VDL x Toulon) represented the MASAF, the Italian sport horse studbook, and followed in second place with a time of 38.44 seconds. Third place went to Belgium’s Lotte Teuns aboard Jolidiams des Tocrias (Diamant de Semilly x Opium de Talma), a Selle Français gelding. The combination produced a clear round in 39.04 seconds, narrowly securing a podium finish.

Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy secured the top spot with Orange de Baugy in the 5-Year-Old class. Image by FEI/Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans.

6-Year-Olds

The six-year-old final saw 20 horses and athletes competing in the jump-off, with less than two seconds separating the top five combinations. Katrin Eckermann, who won this class in 2023 aboard Cascajall, had another remarkable year in the category with both a win and a third place.

She led from early on with her first ride, Iron Dames Earl Of Alice (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Cinsey, BRAND). Returning later on the Westphalian mare Sascinora NRW (Stakkato-Boy RM x Firth of Lorne), Eckermann was intent on adding another win to her collection. An incredibly fast and clear round on the mare – bred by Otmar Eckermann – saw her take the lead and remain in contention for both gold and silver with only three riders left to go.

However, fellow German athlete Kendra Claricia Brinkop and the Stephex Stables-owned stallion Sniper Des Lilas Blancs (Hamilton du Chapitre x Calvaro Z, BWP) neatly filled the gap between Eckermann’s two rides and took silver, securing back-to-back victories for Eckermann in this age group.

Germany’s Katrin Eckermann and Sascinora NRW won the 6-Year-Old class. Image by FEI/Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans.

Aussies in action

Australia’s sole representatives at the event this year, Gabi Chugg and Cristallina competed in the six-year-old division. In the 6YO First Qualifier (1.35 m two phases, Table A, FEI Art. 274.1.5.3), they produced two clear rounds to finish 17th from over 250 entrants. They had two rails in the Second Qualifier and then just one rail in the Small Final, where they placed 52nd.

Bred in Germany, Cristallina is by Cristallo (Cornet Obolensky) out of Monalisa (Caretello B) and is a full sister to Cristalline – the mare whom both Gabi and Chris Chugg competed successfully with here in Australia and abroad before selling her to the USA in 2016.

Well done to Gabi and Cristallina representing Australia on the world stage – we look forward to following this exciting partnership!

Gabi Chugg and Cristallina represented Australia on the world stage. Image by Sportfot.

7-Year-Olds

The seven-year-old class is often considered the pinnacle of young horse development, with combinations facing technically difficult 1.45m courses designed to challenge both scope and precision. Irish breeding was on full display in this class, with Irish Sport Horses taking both gold and bronze.

Last year’s six-year-old champion, Cascajall, ridden by Katrin Eckermann, was considered a strong contender, but an unfortunate pole in the first round kept them from advancing to the jump-off, leaving them in 15th place overall.

Of the seven combinations who did advance, one of the standouts was 21-year-old sensation Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui. The Belgian rider, already well-regarded for his talent in producing young horses, laid down a strong challenge aboard the BWP gelding Remco van den Uilenbos (Nixon van het Meulenhof x Triomphe de Muze) and took the lead with only two combinations left to compete.

Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy was next in the ring riding Sevilla van de Berghoeve Z (Stakkato Gold x Diamant de Semilly, ZANG), and despite coming home in record time, a knock at the final rail dashed her hopes of another podium finish.

It was a case of saving the best for last when Irishman Michael Pender rounded out the class onboard the Irish Sport Horse mare HHH Mercedes (Can Ya Makan x Couletto). The combination looked as if they’d been competing at Grand Prix level for years, cruising round at lightning speed. They were fast enough to take a half-halt to the final fence and yet still edge out Bourdeaud’Hui, crossing the timers in 38.30 seconds to clinch victory.

In third place was another pairing of Irish rider and Irish Sport Horse in Michael Duffy and BP Royalty, a bay gelding by Comme il Faut and out of an Obos Quality 004 mare.

Ireland’s Michael Pender and HHS Mercedes won the 7-Year-Old class. Image by FEI/Hippo Foto Media- Dirk Caremans.

View the results here.

Source: FEI press release by Sophie Baker / edited by EQ Life