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Best of 2017 | With Leopold van Asten, Alberto Zorzi and Evelina Tovek

Thursday, 28 December 2017
Best of 2017

We catch up with some familiar faces on the international showjumping circuit about what they consider to have been the best of the best of the year that soon comes to an end.

Leopold van Asten, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix of Den Bosch:

"My best memory from 2017 is winning the Rolex Grand Prix in Den Bosch. It was a big and difficult Grand Prix, and my family, friends and sponsor where all there – all those that contributed to coming to that success – so that made it a really special moment. 

The horse of the year for me would be Don VHP Z ridden by Harrie Smolders. I think the consistency the horse has showed this year is incredible, so many clear rounds and also then clear round after clear round at the European Championships – I think that was very impressive.

The rider of the year is in my opinion Harrie Smolders. What he has achieved in a year is incredible: Winning the Global Champions Tour and The Global Champions League overall, and silver at the Europeans as well as being double clear in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona to then finish the year as fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva. I think that is amazing. 

The best show I went to this year... Well we are lucky, because there are so many nice shows to choose from and it is difficult to pick only one. I think Den Bosch is a really good show, they have great facilities and a really good crowd. La Coruna and the Longines Masters of Paris were also really good events this year, they stood out too!"

Alberto Zorzi, winner of the Grand Prix of Olympia and the LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco:

"I have three personal highlights this year; the Nations Cup in Rome where the Italian team took their first win in 32 years, my first Grand Prix win the Longines Global Champions Tour in Monaco and winning the Grand Prix at London Olympia

The horse of the year for me is Alice DSP from Simone Blum, I think she is an incredible horse. 

The rider of the year is Harrie Smolders, he won everything he can; the Global Champions Tour, the Global Champions League, silver at the Europeans and the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.

For the groom of the year I have no idea, there are so many top grooms and we riders we are nothing without them! 

The show of the year for me is Valkenswaard, everything works on top ..  but I really liked Miami and Mexico also, and indoors Geneva and London." 

Evelina Tovek, winner of the LGCT Grand Prix of Rome:

"The biggest highlight from 2017 for me was winning the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Rome. It was an amazing feeling – a year ago I couldn't have dreamt of something like that. 

The best horse of the year I think is H&M All in. He had a fantastic year and produced so many good rounds with Peder. Together they are amazing. 

The rider of the year I must say is Henrik von Eckermann, who is now ranked as number 13 in world. He always puts the horses in the first position and is a real fighter. At the same time he's an amazing trainer and a coach for me, and always wants me to get better. 

I can't decide which groom I think is the best of the year, instead I want to give the honor to all the grooms out there who are doing a great job. Early mornings, late evenings, driving to the show, organizing everything so we riders can focus on the riding. Without you we are nothing! 

The best show of the year I think was the European Championships in Gothenburg. It was an incredible show, fantastic arena and amazing finish with Peder and All In winning the gold medal on home soil."

 


Text © World of Showjumping // Pictures © Jenny Abrahamsson / Haide Westring / Stefano Grasso/LGCT

No reproduction without permission



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