At the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Cannes (FRA), Harrie Smolders piloted his long-time successful partner Monaco to victory. The gelding by Cassini II-Contender (Ralf Lütje, Haseldorf), stem 429, had already acquired the reputation of the "eternal runner-up" before winning the lucrative Grand Prix of Geneva (SUI) for the first time at the end of December 2024 and now repeating this success—the curse is broken. With the golden ticket for the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Prague in his pocket, Harrie Smolders said: "I am really happy that we can go to Prague, it's a great event with an incredible atmosphere. Monaco has already jumped the LGCT Super Grand Prix twice, we were very close, but we've never won it either..." and with a mischievous grin he added, "hopefully this year".
The 1.60-metre Grand Prix in Wiesbaden was won by a Holsteiner son of Uriko. Li La Bo (dam's sire: Casall, Lothar Steuer, Pansdorf), stem 318D2, jumped to victory in the class with jump-off in the Wiesbaden Schlosspark under the saddle of Elia Simonetti (ITA). "Li La Bo is a true winning horse, I've had him for two years now and things have been going upwards in my career ever since with him," said the proud rider. On the international parquet, the two have repeatedly stood out during this time, especially since winning the 1.50-metre show jumping class in the Frankfurt Festhalle at the end of 2024.
In Pärnu, Estonia, another Holsteiner won a class at the 2* World Cup show: Quintair is by Quintero out of a Con Air dam (Torsten Gripp, Willenscharen), stem 8803. With Kristaps Neretniks (LAT), he claimed a 1.50-metre course.
Lyjanair by Lyjanero-Coriano (Wendy Davis Gerrish/USA), stem 474A, had once become known under Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and his then assistant rider Bart van der Maat. Meanwhile, the bay competes for the USA under Richard Spooner. In Williamsburg (USA), the two have now won a 1.50-metre show jumping class.
Further successes of Holsteiners from all over the world can be found here:
Photo: Global Champions Tour (Monaco and Harrie Smolders)
Video: ClipMyHorse.tv
