Kristaps Neretnieks wins FEI World Cup Central European Zone leg in show jumping
Kristaps Neretnieks riding Quintair won the Grand Prix of the FEI World Cup Central European Zone leg in Inčukalns on Sunday, while Anna Šellere took third place.
On Sunday, July 26, the FEI World Cup Central European Zone leg in show jumping, "CSI2*-W Inchukalns 2026," concluded at the "Jauno jātnieku skolas" sports center in Inčukalns. The highlight was the FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI2*-W Grand Prix with obstacles at 155 cm and a jump-off. The convincing winner was Kristaps Neretnieks, a two-time Olympian, the only Latvian rider to represent Latvia at the Olympics since the restoration of independence, and a three-time Latvian champion, riding Quintair. Second place went to Finland's Petra Heikkinen on Oechie-K, while third place was secured by Latvia's Anna Šellere on Chadler. This was Šellere's first start in a FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI2*-W Grand Prix at 155 cm, and her debut ended with a podium finish.
In the basic round, seven riders finished without penalties and qualified for the jump-off. In the decisive round, Latvia was represented by four athletes, two of whom made it to the podium, once again demonstrating the high skill of Latvian show jumpers in international competition. Laura Penele on Let's Fly Z finished sixth, and Aleksandrs Šakurovs on Fillmore DB took seventh place, both in the top seven.
The final top seven in the FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI2*-W Grand Prix (155 cm) saw Kristaps Neretnieks (Latvia) win with a clear round in 41.50 seconds in the jump-off. Petra Heikkinen (Finland) on Oechie-K was second with 0 penalties and 43.36 seconds. Anna Šellere (Latvia) on Chadler was third with 0 penalties and 45.97 seconds. Fourth was Petra Heikkinen on Kearney W (Finland) with 4 penalties and 42.38 seconds; fifth was John Antell on L'Intouchable (Finland) with 4 penalties and 43.25 seconds; sixth was Laura Penele on Let's Fly Z (Latvia) with 4 penalties and 45.73 seconds; and seventh was Aleksandrs Šakurovs on Fillmore DB (Latvia) with 4 penalties and 47.98 seconds.
Over three days, the FEI World Cup Central European Zone leg "CSI2*-W Inchukalns 2026" brought together 121 riders and 174 horses from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Finland, competing in 18 different-level courses. The first-ever FEI World Cup Central European Zone leg held in Inčukalns became a significant event in Latvian equestrian history, showcasing a high level of competition, strong international rivalry, and the ability of Latvian athletes to contend for top spots. The event provided spectators with exciting sporting duels, vivid emotions, and intrigue until the last obstacle.
With Neretnieks' victory in the Grand Prix and Šellere's third place, Latvia achieved an outstanding result in the main event, once again confirming the high level and competitiveness of Latvian show jumping on the international stage.
