On the national holiday of Belgium the Knokke Hippique main arena almost celebrated a double Belgian party with Niels Bruynseels jumping into second place. In the threestar main Longines Ranking Class, set at a height of 1.50m the victory coloured USA thanks to Michael Hughes.
Hughes finished about one second faster as the current number 13 on the world ranking list, Niels Bruynseels. Hughes crossed the finish clear in 63.60 seconds aboard his KWPN-sire, Zerlin M (by Berlin). The pair claimed the 6,250 euro spoils.
Belgium's Niels Bruynseels settled as runner-up with his 10-year-old BWP-mare, Himalaya van het Molenhof (by Heartbreaker) after a clear round in 64.29 seconds.
Thomas Ryan followed in third with Quite Zero (by Quite Capitol) while Timothée Anciaume (Australia, by Air Jordan Z) and Willem Greve (Carrera, by Larino Cooper placed in a fourth and fifth place.
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