Text © World of Showjumping

This weekend, Domein Zangersheide in Lanaken, Belgium, has been host to the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2021 and on Sunday it was time for the prestigious finals in each age group. From the 259 horses that had started their championship journey in Thursday’s first qualifier for the 6-year-old horses, the field was narrowed down to 40 participants for the final – which was jumped over a 1.40m course.

Of the 11 pairs that made it to the jump-off, it was Germany's Philipp Weishaupt on the beautiful Westphalia-stallion Coros (Cornet Obolensky x Arpeggio, bred by Werner Buschsieweke) that went first – and with such determination that it was clear they had come to Lanaken for the win. Crossing the finish line in 33.77 seconds, Coros and Weishaupt were unbeatable to the end and took home the gold. 

"Coming out after my round in the jump-off, I knew that if someone wanted to beat me, they would have to do something special," Weishaupt commented afterwards. "However, I have been confident like this many times during my career and have ended up disappointed – so I am happy it lasted until the end.”

"I have known the horse for more than a year, I saw him for the first time in Germany at a national show in our area," Weishaupt told about Coros. "He was absolutely outstanding! Then I followed him at the Bundeschampionat, where he for sure was the best 5-year-old – he jumped incredible. We wanted to buy him but there was no chance. We worked on the owners for the whole winter and finally in the spring this year we came to an agreement, so we have a part of the horse now and I get to ride him. For us, also for our breeding station, he is such an interesting horse, with his type and his bloodline." 

"In the Bundeschampionat this year, I was a little bit too slow in the jump-off and I wanted to make sure it does not happen again here. I think I put enough pressure on everyone and my horse made it easy for me as a rider. It is my first time here in Lanaken, and I was told I have to ride two times clear to qualify for the finals. So, I came Thursday morning at eight o'clock, half asleep, second to go in the first qualifier and did a beautiful clear round. Then I checked the result list in the evening, and I was number 95! I said 'Jesus Christ, this is going to end bad here'. And then I had to speed up on the second day and in the second qualifier we were fifth," Weishaupt laughed.  

Angelique Rüsen (GER) on the Westphalia-bred Crowny NW (Crown Z x Pontifex 9, bred by Norbert Wentrup) placed in silver position with a time of 35.08 in the jump-off, while a time of 35.14 earned the BWP-mare Parequita v.h. (Jamal vd Heffinck x Cumano) and Virginie Thonon (BEL) bronze. Fourth place went to Calvador Z (Comilfo Plus Z x unknown, bred by Luc Van Hoof) and Jason Foley (IRL) while Chica V.V. Z (Comme Il Faut x Chacco-Blue, bred by Evelyne Van Vreckom) and Arnaud Gaublomme (BEL) finished fifth.