Ansgar Holtgers Jr. Wins KASK CSI4* Grand Prix

Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) scored the biggest victory of his career on Sunday of Week 11 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), ending his season with a bang in the $200,000 KASK CSI4* Grand Prix aboard Pixel-K van’t Kattenheye. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.

Among the class’s contenders were nearly 20 Olympians, all testing Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) course to snag a spot in the jump-off. Ultimately, 12 were successful, but no match for 20-year-old Holtgers Jr.

“We’re over the moon, and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said of the emotion he and his team were feeling. “Any win feels nice, but this is definitely the icing on the cake. This is one of the hardest show circuits in the world—most competitive, best course designers, best horses—so to be able to come out here and win is spectacular.

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“My horse is a little bit green to this level; it’s only his third 1.60m,” continued Holtgers Jr., whose best international placing before Sunday was a three-star grand prix win during the 2024 WEF. “I knew there were fast riders behind me so I thought I’d take my shot. It all worked out, thankfully. I was going to be happy at the end of the day either way.”

The time they posted was quick, crossing the timers in 40.04 seconds. Second-place finisher Spencer Smith (USA) almost caught him as last to go, finishing in 40.13 seconds aboard HHS Seattle, owned by Ashland Farms. In third was Shane Sweetnam (IRL) with Gilona AO, owned by himself, Popish Farm, and Seabrook LLC.

Holtgers has been developing his partnership with Pixel-K van’t Kattenheye over the past two years since purchasing the now 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Chin Chin).

“We saw him in Germany as an eight-year-old,” he explained of the day he met the horse. “He jumped just as he does now; super scopey, careful, and a joy to ride. We knew he was special from the beginning so we took it nice and slow, jumping a lot of 1.40m-1.45m rounds to get to know each other. This is just the beginning.”

As for what appealed to him about Pixel-K, Holtgers responded, “Honestly, everything. I’m a tall guy and he’s a bigger horse, so that’s a good fit. He has so much blood and he has the heart to do it”

WEF 11 was Holtgers, Jr.’s final week competing in Florida. Up next for Holtgers and Pixel-K is some time off for the month of April before heading to Europe for the summer season.

“I’ve had a very good season,” he reflected. “I jumped my first five-star grand prix on my other horse Good Morning B. Then I showed Pixel in a four-star on the grass; he was clear there and placed fifth. I think I learned a lot and my riding got better as a whole and my horses got better which is the biggest thing.”

To cap the afternoon, Belgium’s Zoe Conter claimed the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for her consistent performance throughout WEF week 11.

Competition returns to the International Arena during Rolex Finale week at Wellington International, which comes to a peak in the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix on Saturday, March 29.

Top Five Results: $200,000 KASK CSI4* Grand Prix

1. Ansgar Holtgers, Jr. (USA) & Pixel-K van’t Kattenheye: 2015 Belgian Warmblood gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Chin Chin) Owner: Gut Einhaus, LLC – Faults/Time: 0/0/40.04
2. Spencer Smith (USA) & HHS Seattle: 2013 Irish Sporthorse Gelding gelding (Pacino x Cavalier Royale) Owner: Ashland Farms – Faults/Time: 0/0/40.13
3. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Gilona AO: 2011 Dutch Warmblood mare (Zavall VDL x Silvio) Owners: Shane Sweetnam, Popish Farm, & Seabrook LLC – Faults/Time: 0/0/40.52
4. Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Kapitaal L: 2015 Dutch Warmblood mare (Cornet Obolensky x Comme D Api VD Hacienda) Owner: Over The Top Stables LLC – Faults/Time: 0/0/41.16
5. Alex Matz (USA) & Junior Kannan: 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Diamant de Semilly) Owner: Dorothy Matz – Faults/Time: 0/0/41.17

To view full results from the $200,000 KASK CSI5* Grand Prix, click HERE.