In Mechelen one of the highlights of the evening has just ended. Breeding was the main theme of today in Mechelen, so it was only logical that the Nekkerhal of Mechelen was very crowded for the 'Sires of the World' class. This class was a part of the CSI5* competition. 32 combinations entered the show ground and ten of them managed to jump a clear first round, meaning a jump-off with ten combinations had to decide about the winner. The class carried the name of Léon Melchior, founder of Zangersheide, who died a few years ago. ______________________________________________________________________________________ QUICK RESULTS 1. Christian Ahlmann - Caribis Z 2. Francois Mathy Jr. - Casanova de L'Herse 3. Christian Ahlmann - Dominator 2000 Z ________________________________________________________________________________________ When you're jumping on Belgian crowd, of course the Belgian crowd hopes it will be a Belgian victory and the odds of a Belgian rider winning were in the crowd's favor: six Belgian riders qualified themselves for the jump-off. Christian Ahlmann, son-in-law of Léon Melchior, qualified for the jump-off as well. He qualified twice for the jump-off with two different horses. The first rider who entered the show ring was the Italian rider Filippo Bologni. Bologni and his 14-year old Quidich de la Chavee (f. President) immediately put the pressure on the other competitors by jumping a fast, clear round with is chestnut stallion. Ahlmann, the second rider in the jump-off, however, wasn't impressed. With the 8-year old Zangersheide stallion Dominator 2000 Z (f. Diamant de Semilly)unde the saddle, he jumped a super fast round, leaving the wood untouched. His time of 35,85 seconds would result in a third place. The third rider entering the show ground was the young Belgian lady rider Chloe Vranken. Vranken jumped a clear round with Emir de Vy (f. Calvaro) but her time of 40,11 seconds wasn't enough for a spot five placing. Another young Belgian rider, Dimme D'Haese round a beautiful round as well. He and the 11-year old KWPN stallion Comme Il Faut (f. Diamant de Semilly) started as one of the outsiders in the jump-off. They jumped a clear round in 37,57 seconds and ended on seventh place. François Mathy Jr., another Belgian rider, really wanted to give the crowd what they came for: a Belgian victory. The Belgian rider went fast as lightening and finished in 35,05 seconds with Casanova de L'Herse (f. Ugano Sitte), taking over the lead. Jos Verlooy was the next Belgian rider who entered the ring of Mechelen. He rode a very spectacular round with Romeo de Villaret (f. Mr. Blue) and finished in 35,95 second. After Verlooy it was up to Nicola Philippaerts, another favorite of the Belgian crowd. Philippaerts' 13-year old Bisquet Balou C left the wood untouched, but in the end their time of 36,52 seconds wasn't fast enough. Nicola and Bisquet Balou woud end on fifth place. The last Belgian rider was Gegroy Wathelet. He rode a real sensational taking one stride from the first to the second fence but in the end Ironman vd Padenborre (f. Darco) hit one fence. After Wathelet, Ahlmann had to enter the jump-off one more time. He and Caribis Z (f. Caritano) once again showed why they are one of the best combinations of the world. They entered, went fast as lightening and... took the victory. They finished in 34,63 seconds, which was a dream victory for team Zangersheide. Click here for the results
