Monday 28 April 2014

Longines Global Champions Tour Antwerp

Let me start off by saying IT WAS AMAZING!

Quick snapshot of Antwerp as we strolled around


Needless to say, as I write this from home sweet home; that I survived my first long road trip as chauffeur. Myself and the Guru headed from Luxembourg to Antwerp overnight to check out the opening leg of the 2014 Longines Champions Tour.

Hoodie I splurged on as I was so cold - was not prepared for wind; hopefully lesson learned!


There were two other classes on before the main event at 6.30pm. There was a 1m15 class on first which we spent the entire time watching the warm up arena - such nice horseflesh although nowhere near the quality of the animals that followed in the later classes.

Cute castle on the waterfront

The shopping was super disappointing, we were definitely not the target audience for the few stands that were there. I was half hoping (but not really expecting) to find a Charles Owen, Tredstep Ireland and/or Ogilvy stand so that I could see the products on my shopping list in person. Sadly not to be so shall hold out hope for next equine adventure tbc ;-)

White tents & cranes are LGT showgrounds - photo taken from castle above

That's enough talk from me; I'm now going to leave you with my poor quality camera phone photos - hope you can make out the horses :-p



Dirk Demeersman & Artemise du Houssoit in 1m45 class


Artemise du Houssoit really caught my eye, she is gorgeous SBS 8yo mare by Sherman-Sitte & Ksar-Sitte mare


Nick Skelton & Aristio (mini-Arko)


Aristio is an AES 8yo stallion by Arko III & Voltaire mare


Nick & Aristio sproinging


The magnificent Carlo & Sergio Alvarez Moya


Ludo Philippaerts & Challenge v. Begijnakker


Nicola Philippaerts & Forever D'Arco Ter Linden


Nicola & Forever @ Jump 1


Shane Breen & the stunning Balloon


Balloon & Shane Jump 1


Mark McAuley & Isco de Amoranda


Mark & Isco Jump 1


Eric Lamaze & the fabulous Powerplay


Cameron Hanley & Dundee v. Dwerse Hagen


Cameron & Dundee Jump 1


Denis Lynch & Coulisa; isn't she a looker?


Denis & Coulisa


Coulisa & Denis


Edwina Tops-Alexander & Old Chap Tame

ETA & Old Chap again - another rubber ball of a horse

The legends that are Rolf-Göran Bengtsson & Casall ASK

Rolf & ASK

Kevin Staut & For Joy van'T Zorgvliet Hdc
 
For Joy & Kevin Jump 1



Kevin & For Joy @ Jump 6
Reed Kessler & Cos I Can

Reed & Cosi - who has the same sire as my Kika!

Reed & Cos I Can heading for fence 6

Over they go!
Luciana Dinis & Cassius 56

Sadly I messed up my timing to snap them over the jumps

Ben Maher & the gorgeous and aptly named Diva II


She's a beauty
Ben & Diva
Michael Whitaker & Elie van de Kolmen
I can't remember if I mentioned that MW was on the same flight as me to Brazil last year - starstruck moment for me as I gawped when he passed my seat

Jump 6 for Michael & Elie
The gorgeous Taloubet Z & Christain Ahlmann

Taloubet fence 1


Plot Bleu & Marcus Ehning

*drool*



Penelope Leprovost & Nayana

Penelope won a lovely diamond prize for being the Leading Lady rider

Apologies for the photo quality and that they are so far away. I was also a lazy bum and only took photos during Round 1 of my favourite riders & horses - so as to actually watch the other rounds and not be hiding behind my phone trying to click at just the right moment to get the sproing shot. This means I managed to miss the top 3 even though The 3rd place Belgian youngster was on a stunnig horse - what a dreamboat...the horse! I wasn't perving on the kid!