With a start list filled to the brim with famous top riders, the Prize Knokke-Heist CSI5* 1,50m was a beautiful class to watch tonight at Knokke Hippique. The podium only proved that point: Lorenzo De Luca with one of the worlds best show jumpers Halifax van 't Kluizebos, Daniel Deusser in second and Niels Bruynseels in third place. The Grand Prix CSI3* earlier tonight was won by Irelands Darragh Kenny.
QUICK RESULT CSI5*
1. Lorenzo De Luca - Halifax vh Kluizebos
2. Daniel Deusser - Caliso Blue
3. Niels Bruynseels - Jenson van 't Meulenhof
The Belgians claimed six out of ten places in the top ten of this two round CSI5*. De Luca and twelve-year-old son of Heartbreaker Halifax van 't Kluizebos won in 41,77 seconds, half a second faster than Daniel Deusser with the also twelve-year-old top talent Calisto Blue, a son of Chacco Bue. Niels Bruynseels seized the third place for Belgium with Jenson van 't Meulenhof (Vagabond de la Pomme). They finished in 44,21 seconds.
The top five continued with a fourth place for Frédéric Vernaet and the Belgian-bred stallion Dieu Merci van T&L (Toulon). Shane Sweetnam put his faith in Chaqui Z (Chacco-Blue) for his fifth place.
The CSI3* Grand Prix earlier today went to Darragh Kenny with Sweet Tricia (Berlin). In 40,75 seconds, they beat the young Dutch rider Kevin Jochems with Faithless MVDL (Ukato). Norwegian rider Pal Flam sent Abrisco V (Sam R) to the bronze.
Click here for all results.