Press release from Zangersheide, edited by World of Showjumping

A radiant sun, packed stands and thrill of who will win the title up until the very last jump... These were the perfect ingredients for a thrilling 2025-edition of the 1.50m FEI Zangersheide Sires of the World on Friday afternoon in Lanaken, Belgium. Every year, this prestigious class is one of the absolute highlights of the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses and that was once again confirmed with a gripping finale that got the audience on the edge of their seats.

After Thursday's opening test, 47 horse-and-rider combinations appeared at the start of this 1.50m class, all ready to compete in the tough course laid out by the course builders led by Belgian designer Bernard Mathy. In the end, 10 pairs managed to advance to the jump-off.

In the exciting jump-off, it was Marriet Smit-Hoekstra (NED) who made the difference with her 9-year-old Westphalian-bred For Chacco TN (For Pleasure x Chacco Blue, bred by Wilhelm Schwenker). The seventh combination in the ring, the Dutch duo opted for a bold but controlled round. She steered For Chacco TN flawlessly through the jump-off course and clocked off in 46.13 seconds. This strong performance not only earned them victory, but also a place on the honours list of one of the most prestigious classes of the weekend.

"For Chacco TN now officially has the title I gave him years ago: Champion! I've had many good horses in my life, but he is at a whole other level. The very best and very special! I am so happy he has proven himself at this level, he is so fast, he is so clever, this victory is something very special to me, but also for everyone on the team. Even though the time difference with Patrick was very very small, winning still feels really big to me,” Marriet said.

The battle for the gold remained exciting until the very last moment. Germany’s Patrick Stühlmeyer, who was represented in this jump-off with two horses, went all out as the very last starter to knock Smit-Hoekstra off the throne. With the 8-year-old Oldenburg Chaloubino PS OLD (Chacoon Blue x Centadel, bred by Paul Schockemöhle), he rode a lightning-fast round, but his finishing time of 46.19 seconds turned out to be just six hundredths of a second too slow to claim victory.

“The difference was so minimal, time may not even be the question, I'd say it has a bit to do with luck too. My luck was that my horse, who is only eight, jumped great! He doesn't have much experience at this level yet and maybe sometimes looses some time on the jump because of his quality and scope but I am very proud of him and this reserve title promises a lot for the future," said Patrick Stühlmeyer.

Third place remained at home thanks to Christian Ahlmann (GER) and the 9-year-old Westphalian-bred Untouched LB (United Touch S x Cornet Obolensky, bred by Lena Bieler and Thomas Verhufen). They reappeared in the ring as the penultimate combination and their smooth, powerful ride resulted in a finishing time of 47.50 seconds. "I definitely tried to be the fastest, but after the finish I didn't expect us to have the winning time. But that does not take away from the fact that I am very happy how Untouched LB jumped today and continues his upward trend nicely again," Ahlmann concluded.

The top five was further completed by two German pairs: Lucas Wenz, who came fourth in 49.01 seconds with the 10-year-old Holsteiner United Way (Uriko x Concerto II, bred by Verband der Züchter des Holsteiner Pferdes) and Maximilian Lill, who took fifth in 49.16 seconds with the 8-year-old BWP Romeo C (Casall La Silla x Cassini I, bred by Cria De Caballos De Deporte SL).