Last to go home hero Jochems galloped flat out to the final fence on the bouncy Cornetboy to stop the clock in 40.37 sec securing second place just ahead of Andres Azcarraga and Contendros who took third place on the podium today. Gregory Bodo built a testing but fair 1.55m track on the final day of the first event of the season at Tops International Arena with many top combinations taking part under the summer sun.

After his win, Omer Karaevli explained: “ I am very happy to be able to ride here at the amazing venue of Tops International Arena which has perfect footing, stables and organization.”

Earlier in the week world class French rider Penelope Leprevost declared the show: “In my opinion this is one of the best shows in the world. The grass arena is just amazing.”

The action at Tops International Arena doesn’t stop there as next week's CSI5* kicks off from 15 - 17 July limited tickets are still available - please follow the link below.

It was a busy final day of top spot as the young horses kicked off with the final for six and seven-year-old horses. The audience saw 12 combinations return to the jump-off. The Brazilian Ricardo Correa Reinert was first in the ring and delivered a neat clear round with Chakiro PS (OS, Chacoon Blue x Stakkato) in a time of 36.67. However, France's Pénélope Leprevost directly bettered the time with Vanquish Z (Zang, Vagabond de la Pomme x Calypso III) and set the time at 35.74.

Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir took all the risk and went full speed between fence four (double) and five, where he managed to win a lot of time with Eytuka of Two Notes Z (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Chin Chin). The time to beat was now 33.99. Dutchman Kevin Jochems had clearly set his sights on victory and had a good pace. He took over the lead with Looks Good de Liebri Z (Lector van den Bisschop x Bently van de Heffinck). But that was not fast enough either, Abdel Säid went one step further with Bullseye 111 Z (Bamako de Muze x Dere Senaat 111) and stopped the clock at 33.81.

The audience held its breath when Italian Emanuele Gaudiano entered the ring as the last starter. The Italian is known as a very fast rider and he did what he does best, crossing the finish line in 32.43 seconds with Cor VD Kattevennen Z (Cornet Obolensky x Heartbreaker). Gaudiano was very happy with the result: "My father bought Cor two years ago and I started riding him when he was six years old. He loves to win. We have won two classes here and last week we won all three in Italy," he said of his horse and continued, "He is a very nice stallion and I hope I can start riding him in big competitions. I have great expectations for the future for him." The 36-year-old rider, who lives in Germany, has been coming to Tops International Arena since 2016. "It's great that the young horses get the opportunity to jump on this super grass surface. They learn so much from it."

Of the 46 competitors in the CSI2* Grand Prix, 14 returned in the jump-off. Mexican Andres Azcarraga set the tone with his clear round in a very fast time. He crossed the finish line with the OS mare Cloubette PS in 37.14 seconds. Many tried to beat this time, with Kevin Jochems and Pénélope Leprevost coming close. But then American Adrienne Sternlicht entered the arena and it was immediately clear that she was on a mission. From the start, she had a good pace with the Oldenburg Bennys Legacy (Lupicor x Voltaire) and flew through the course to stop the clock at 35.82. A beautiful ride that was good for the victory. A round that was good for first place. Azcarraga therefore finished second and Jochems was third with Shanroe Peeters (Dallas VDL x Condios).

"I couldn't have been happier with my horse. He jumped fantastic, especially in the jump-off. I think he loved it here on the beautiful grass," said a proud Adrienne. "I have a strong partnership with my horse. I have been riding him for three years now and when he is in shape he is unbelievable to ride. Normally I ride him in bigger competitions so for him it is nice to run some smaller competitions, like this 2*, for once." Normally she lives in America between Connecticut and Florida, but now she has her horses in Germany with top Irish rider Bertram Allen.