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. A busy day concluded with the final for the 7-year-old horses. 

Out of the 187 that had started their championship journey in Thursday’s first qualifier for the 7-year-old horses, the field was narrowed down to 41 participants for the final – which was jumped over a tough 1.45m course, where the time allowed ended up playing a huge part. 

Only four pairs managed to deliver a clear in the first round: Harm Lahde (GER) on Just A Dream (VDL Zirocco Blue x Carano, bred by Fam. Nooren), Gilles Thomas (BEL) on J.Comghorla van Beek (Comme Il Faut x Padinus, bred by Guido Herijgers 'T Eirbissemhof), Dominique Hendricxk (BEL) on Etundel de Marocy (Diamant de Semilly x President, bred by Pascal Morelle) and Antonio Campanelli (ITA) on Divina (Baloubet du Rouet x unknown, bred by Giuliano Silvio). Only a time fault kept Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) on Odiena van Berimar (Kannan x Game-Boy, bred by Marnicq & Ludo Bervoets) away from the jump-off and the pair had to settle for the fifth place in the tough final. 

With a time of 39.30, it was Harm Lahde that took home the win in the showdown that concluded a weekend of exciting sport at Domein Zangersheide. "For me, I was not even expecting to go clear [in the first round]. My horse is a really nice horse and a real fighter, but still it was a tough course," Lahde told the press after his win. "The time allowed is never really a problem with her, but getting the rideability right is. She is not that easy to ride." 

"I was just going to go full for it," Lahde told about his plans for the jump-off. "I have to say thanks to my owners at Gestüt Eichenhain. I have been there for eight years and this was my last show with them. We will see who will get the ride on this horse, we will see what the future holds. Thanks also to my team at home and my show groom Christine, she is doing an incredible job, like all the grooms. It is such a hard job, and we would be nothing without them."

"I can only applaud them," Lahde said about the organisers and sponsors of the event. "Thank you very much, Judy does an abnormal job here and to win in front of a crowd –  and finally ride with spectators again... I was really speechless today." 

Crossing the finish line in 42.80 seconds, Gilles Thomas had to settle for the silver – concluding a great week at Zangersheide – while Dominique Hendrickx took the bronze with one down in 41.28 seconds. Two poles down in the jump-off left Antonio Campanelli in fourth.