Previtali and Laura Kraut on top in Valkenswaard's Grand Prix's

Italy’s Roberto Previtali proved to be the fastest in the 17-horse jump-off of the 2* Grand Prix in Valkenswaard. The 26 year old rides for Stal Tops, so for him it was a home competition. He rode the Westphalian mare Airline R (Avec Coeur x Cornet Obolensky), who is owned by Athina Onassis. Previtali: “This horse has a lot of character, she behaves like a real mare. However, when she is in the arena, she is completely focussed.” Roberto is trained by Massimo Maggiore and whenever it is possible Jan and Edwina help out at shows. Previtali commented on today’s course that “it was big enough for a 2* and it was technical.”

Runner-up was Holland’s Jur Vrieling with KM Chalcedon (DSP, Calido I x Raphael) followed by host Edwina Tops-Alexander and Casquell (HOLST, by Casall).

The 1* Grand Prix was won by American top rider Laura Kraut. The 53 year old Kraut, who, together with her partner Nick Skelton, splits her time between Wellington, FL, in the US and Alcester in England, rode the eight-year-old KWPN gelding Galliano VM (Ukato x Vincenzo). The combination finished fifth on Monday, third on Tuesday and today they won. Runners-up were Belgium’s Marjan De Wachter and Darcotique v’t Meulenhof (BWP, Marius Claudius x Quidam de Revel) followed by 22 year old Dutch Micky Morssinkhof with Elianca (KWPN, Carthino Z x Osmium).