British riders claim several Grand Prix podium placings after a consistent week in Zuidwolde
Monday 02 June 2025
Hollie Gerken gained an early lead in the Pony Grand Prix in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, with the super-careful Galaxy V, eventually taking second place.
Forty-one hopefuls initially bid for victory over the 1.30m track with seven gaining access to the jump-off – two of them representing Great Britain.
Hollie Gerken was first to head into the jump-off and navigated her way swiftly around the shortened course to lay down the challenge for those who followed her, as it became a matter of who dares, wins.
It was only Germany’s Brianne Beerbaum, who is following the steps of her mother, Olympian Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who could beat the gutsy young Brit on this occasion, Hollie finishing in second place.
Last to go Sophia Rogers and Neil 55 gave it their all and produced the fastest jump-off time of the afternoon but saw the front bar of the final fence hit the sand which saw them slot into fourth place.
Pony Grand Prix – Zuidowolde, The Netherlands – 31 May 2025
1st Brianne Beerbaum (GER) & Sucato – 0/0 – 31.57 seconds
2nd Hollie Gerken (GBR) & Galaxy V – 0/0 – 31.75 seconds
3rd Ruben Foley (IRE) &Wineport Q Junior– 0/4 – 30.37 seconds
4th Sophia Rogers (GBR) & Neil 55 – 0/4 – 30.96 seconds
Charlie Barker took a podium place in the Children on Horses Grand Prix at the Youth Spring Tour in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, with Strides Maureen.
A big entry of 63 competitors came forward over the 1.30m track with 11 making their way into the jump-off, Great Britain once again claiming two of those places.
Eleonora Ljungman was drawn early and had no option but to set off at pace with Jamaica EBH and post a fast target. Taking an early lead, those who followed found a slightly shorter route with Eleonora eventually finishing in fifth place.
Charlie Barker, riding Strides Mauren, used his penultimate draw to maximum advantage to chase down those who held onto top spot and a very fast jump-off saw them finish in third place, just 1.09 seconds off the winning time.
Children on Horses Grand Prix – Zuidwolde, The Netherlands – 31 May 2025
1st - Daria Maria Copos (ROU) & Castigo de Amor – 0/0 – 35.98 seconds
2nd - Lucia Keane (IRE) & Elia – 0/0 – 36.40
3rd- Charlie Barker (GBR) & Strides Maureen – 0/0 – 37.07 seconds
4th – Maria Ines Sequeiros (POR) & Ballerina Girl DVO Z – 0/0 38.97 seconds
5th – Eleonora Ljungman (GBR) & Jamaica EBH – 0/0 39.75 seconds
Sophie Evans came oh-so-close to a podium place in the Young Rider Grand Prix on the final day of the De Wolden Youth Spring Tour in Zuidwolde.
The 1.45m track saw 43 riders come forward with four elite competitors leaving every fence intact to access the jump-off, Sophie and Deuxcatsix D'Eglefin the sole British representatives.
First to go in the jump-off, Sophie had to set the target to beat, and she remained cool and calm, speeding up between fences to stop the clock in a competitive time of 41.64 seconds.
It was now a matter of waiting. Unfortunately, Sophie didn’t have to wait long. German rider Romy Rosalie Tietje was slightly quicker, edging ahead by 2.03 seconds before another rider, Germany’s Max Paschertz wiped another 2.02 seconds off the time to take top spot, putting Sophie into third, and Romy Rosalie Tietje into second. Czech’s Oliver Pisarik used his final draw to take second place, 0.44 seconds off the winning time. Moving Romy into third and Sophie taking fourth.
Young Riders Grand Prix – Zuidwolde, The Netherlands – 1 June 2024
1st Max Paschertz (GER) & Foodfox' Amerigo Vh Zandershof – 0/0 – 37.59 seconds
2nd Oliver Pisarik (CZE) & Elixie de Hus– 0/0 – 38.03 seconds
3rd Romy Rosalie Tietje (GER) & Cascadino – 0/0 – 39.61 seconds
4th Sophie Evans (GBR) & Deuxcatsix D'Eglefin – 0/0 41.64 seconds
Image credit: Hans Khoe
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