Sonthargos, Risky Business and Catokey II SR Z winners in Kessel

26 May 2026

On the eve of the start of JPM International, young showjumpers had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in Kessel during the fourth leg of the Stal Hendrix competition. In the four-year-old division, Sonthargos (s.Donthargos) ridden by Luc van Horen, received the highest marks. Among the five-year-olds, the Diarado son Risky Business proved to be the fastest clear combination under Renee Meijer, while the six-year-old Catokey II SR Z (s.Catoki) also produced a winning performance with Yves Willems.

Robbert Ehrens and Joris van Helmond were responsible for judging the four-year-olds. “We saw a number of standout horses, as well as quite a large middle group. It was unfortunate that some horses with very noticeable jumping ability couldn’t show an optimal round due to tension or being distracted, because the quality was definitely there,” explained Van Helmond.

Strong horses on the podium
The judges were unanimous about the winner. The Donthargos son Sonthargos van de Beukehoeve (ds.Chacoon Blue, bred by J.G.A. van Horen) earned scores of 8.4 for jumping and 8.0 for rideability under Luc van Horen. “This horse is very pleasant to ride, jumps well through the body and is also able to shorten nicely,” Robbert Ehrens explained. Jop Keunen rode Sargita PK (Durrant x Bustique), bred by his grandfather Piet Keunen, to second place with scores of 8.2 and 8.0. “A mare with a strong canter, who jumps with good power, has a lot of overview and is already very rideable.” With identical scores of 7.8 twice, Mandy Deurloo aboard Sidam (Ipsthar x Dakar VDL, bred by the Hoogstrate/Deurloo family) and Rob Heijligers with Karelli Z (Kassander van ’t Roosakker x Balou du Rouet, bred by Sebastiaan Pieter Valeijn) finished tied. As a result, Karelli Z moved into first place in the interim standings. “These are two big, long-lined horses that may need a bit more time than the two horses that finished ahead of them. Sidam is a quality jumper with a powerful take-off and can still become a little looser in every aspect, while Karelli Z produced a very good round and perhaps could have shown just a bit more power today.”

Fastest time for Risky Business
In the five-year-old division, 34 of the more than 80 combinations delivered a completely faultless round. No one could match the fast time of Risky Business (Diarado x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, bred by Willem Croughs) ridden by Renee Meijer. However, Do Z (Dourkhan Hero Z x Dulf van den Bisschop, bred by N. Mulders) with Imke Gradussen stayed close behind to finish second. Third prize in the five-year-old class went to Cezar T Z (Colorit Z x Numero Uno, bred by Tommelberg BV) ridden by Mart Sander. After four competitions, Jeroen Blomen and Dreamer vh Bergerhof Z (s.Diamant de Semilly), who finished seventh today, remain at the top of the interim standings. Yves Willems produced the best result in the six-year-old division with Catokey II SR Z (Catoki x Bentley van de Heffinck), bred by the Sleutels family of Keystud. In this class, 28 of the 70 combinations delivered completely clear rounds. Stephanie Whitworth mounted a strong challenge with P. Sellie JDV (Gaspahr x Vegas, bred by Jean Dresen) to finish in second place. Britt Driessen and Uricana-Grace Z (Uricas van de Kattevennen x Conan, bred by John Driessen) strengthened their position in the interim standings thanks to a third-place finish today, although it is with her other horse, Duel Mood Z (s.Duel de HSP), that she currently leads the standings. The final qualifier will take place in Meerlo on June 11.

Photo Sonthargos – SportFot / Text Jenneke Smit