Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida won Sunday's CSI5*-W 1,55m Grand Prix Sport Vlaanderen aboard Karaonia.L at Jumping Mechelen, being the first ever Portugese to win this title.
After saying goodbye to Nevados S, Gregory Wathelet (BEL) switched to the saddle of Double Jeu d'Honvault (Kannan) as he was allowed to open the jump-off, where seven combinations were competing. No doubt with the power of Nevados S still in mind, he immediately popped down a strong ride, finishing in 37.70s.
After 24-year-old Vince Jarmy (HUN) with Carbon Girl Z (Chester Z), who had one jumping fault, it was Harrie Smolders' (NED) turn. The winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva counted on Mr. Tac, a BWP horse by Non Stop. On the breeding product of Edmond Meyers, he opened quietly but as the course shortened, his pace increased. The pair improved their time to 37.05s.
Sandra Auffarth (GER) headed toward the finish line on Quirici H (Frh Quaid) with four points. Halfway through appeared a man who knows how to go fast. Second Belgian in the jump-off, Pieter Devos (BEL) with his homebred Primo DV, a only 9-year-old son of Vigo d'Arsouilles. Their 38.13s was no faster, but they were sent off with a huge round of applause from the home crowd.
Penultimate to claim the top scaffold: Thibault Philippaerts (GER). The young Belgian was counting on the equally young Qosito van de Koekoek, an 8-year-old son of Mosito van het Hellehof. On the penultimate oxer, the pair received a fault.
Will it be the Netherlands or Portugal? Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) was the only one who could keep Smolders from another win on the, ironically Dutch-bred, 9-year-old Karonia.L.
After saying goodbye to Nevados S, Gregory Wathelet (BEL) switched to the saddle of Double Jeu d'Honvault (Kannan) as he was allowed to open the jump-off, where seven combinations were competing. No doubt with the power of Nevados S still in mind, he immediately popped down a strong ride, finishing in 37.70s.
After 24-year-old Vince Jarmy (HUN) with Carbon Girl Z (Chester Z), who had one jumping fault, it was Harrie Smolders' (NED) turn. The winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva counted on Mr. Tac, a BWP horse by Non Stop. On the breeding product of Edmond Meyers, he opened quietly but as the course shortened, his pace increased. The pair improved their time to 37.05s.
Sandra Auffarth (GER) headed toward the finish line on Quirici H (Frh Quaid) with four points. Halfway through appeared a man who knows how to go fast. Second Belgian in the jump-off, Pieter Devos (BEL) with his homebred Primo DV, a only 9-year-old son of Vigo d'Arsouilles. Their 38.13s was no faster, but they were sent off with a huge round of applause from the home crowd.
Penultimate to claim the top scaffold: Thibault Philippaerts (GER). The young Belgian was counting on the equally young Qosito van de Koekoek, an 8-year-old son of Mosito van het Hellehof. On the penultimate oxer, the pair received a fault.
Will it be the Netherlands or Portugal? Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) was the only one who could keep Smolders from another win on the, ironically Dutch-bred, 9-year-old Karonia.L.