The first CSI5* of the season, after the COVID and EHV-1 lockdown, feels a bit strange without audience but the organisation of the Dutch Masters succeeds in making it a spectacle. Today was the kick-off with a 1.40m class. In this class Belgium's Gregory Wathelet speeded to victory aboard Faut-Il des 7 Vallons (Comme Il Faut).
It was an exciting competition where the top finished in less then a second difference. Wathelet was the second but last rider at the start, leaving compatriot, Jérome Guery in a second place with the 13-year-old Tango (Cooper vd Heffinck).
Home-rider, Johnny Pals completed the stage aboard Excentriek (Ustinov) while Laura Kraut placed fourth.
Kraut followed with Galliano VM (Ukato) before, LJ-rider, Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida aboard the 11-year-old KWPN-mare, Farah (Arzzo VDL).