The tension was palpable in the Nekkerhal this evening. As tradition dictates, the KBC Bank & Verzekeringen Prize was once again on the programme this year. The CSI5* 1.50m class attracted an impressive field, and in the end no fewer than eighteen combinations returned for the jump-off.
It was Julien Epaillard who ultimately made the difference with Donatello d’Auge (Jarnac). The pair kept a clean sheet and stopped the clock at 38.34 seconds in the jump-off, securing the win and €14,200 in prize money.
A young Belgian talent then stepped into the spotlight in the form of Jules van Hoydonck. Riding Minte vd Bisschop (Plot Blue), he claimed second place after a faultless jump-off in 38.96 seconds, less than a second slower than the winning time.
Third place went to Dutch rider Bas Moerings with Kivinia (I M Special de Muze). They also delivered a double clear, clocking 39.42 seconds in the jump-off to take their place firmly on the podium.
Belgium remained strongly represented in the fight for the top placings. Niels Bruynseels finished fourth with the BWP mare Oaky Flandria (H&M Cabrio van de Heffinck). Once again faultless in the jump-off, his time of 39.76 seconds left him just outside the top three.
Gudrun Patteet rounded out the top five with the Zangersheide mare Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z (Comme Il Faut). They too produced a double clear and posted 40.60 seconds, which in a fast jump-off was still enough to secure fifth place.
These results underlined just how close the margins were in this CSI5* class: the entire top five remained on zero penalties, with the time differences ultimately deciding who would take home the top prize.
