Although they announced to be no longer available for the Dutch team in the Nations Cups, Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi TN are not the least thinking of retirement. The stallion jumped phenomenally in Shanghai winning second prize in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.

Only four combinations stayed clear in the first round of the very challenging Grand Prix of Shanghai.  Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi TN (Quidam de Revel out of Clarissa van Landgraf I, breeder Veehandel Musterd BV from Hooge Zwaluwe) were the first to go in the jump-off. With a very strong ride Van der Vleuten and Verdi seemed to go round with ease and set the strong time of 39,46 seconds.

 

Big prize money

Only the Italian rider Lorenzo de Luca and the Nabab de Rêve-son Ensor de Litrange LXII could stay in front with 38,05 seconden, while De Luca’s teammate Alberto Zorzi managed to set the fastest time. With Fair Light van ’t Heike, daughter of the KWPN-recognized stallion Vigo d’Arsouilles, Zorzi set a time of 37,82 seconden, but a mistake in the first of the double made him finish in third. Still good for 75.000 euro, while for Verdi and Van der Vleuten no less than 100.000 euro was lying ready and winner De Luca went home with 165.000 euro.

 

Charly Chaplin S goes well

The Harley VDL-son Charly Chaplin S (out of Naomi S stb prest by Burggraaf, breeder J. Stummel from Staphorst) keeps on doing well with Irish rider Darragh Kenny. In the Grand Prix they set the fastest time with one mistake what put them in seventh. That earned them 15.000 euro. In the qualification, als a class on time, they got fifith, which already earned them 16200. Quite a lucrative weekend for the pair from Ireland, that also contributed to the win in the Global Champions League with team-mate Jack Towell and the KWPN horse New York (Verdi from Windspiel by Watzmann, breeder Paul Olthof from Langeveen).

Creedance beaten by ‘Bosty’

Kent Farrington and Creedance (Lord Z out of Camantha pref prest by Notaris, breeder Antonio Hassing from Steggerda) could also shine in the GP-qualifier. The American rider and his ten-year-old chestnut gelding set a time of 74,96 seconds – good for second place and 54.000 euro. French rider Roger Yves Bost, nicknamed  ‘Bosty’, was the winner with the stallion Pegase du Murier (s.Adelfos) and won 89.100 euro. British rider Ben Maher also booked success with Don Vito (Quaprice du Bois Margot out of Nellandra ster pref prest by Jus de Pomme, breeder E. van Ittersum from Giethoorn) – also known of being the full brother tot he KWPN-approved stallion Baltic VDL. The nine-year-old jumped to fourth place, just in front of Charly Chaplin S and Darragh Kenny.