Gilles Thomas (BEL) was the first to start in the saddle of Ermitage Kalone (by Catoki). The nine-year-old stallion did not disappoint and immediately put down a strong clear round under Thomas. The time to beat was set to 60.37s. Gerfried Puck (AUT) was second with Equitron Naxcel V (by Balou du Rouet). The duo had a jumping fault on obstacle seven and, despite their fast time of 57.69s, kept them out of the running for the win.

Georgia Tame (GBR) entered ring third with Vivolenska. Before them, the beam of the last hurdle fell to the ground. Lorenzo de Luca's (ITA) Cappuccino 194 (by Comme il Faut) stroked the bar of the second fence very lightly and it also went wrong on fence eight. The Italian decided to withdraw.

Thomas de Wit (BEL) was the second to attempt to uphold the honor of his country. Armed with Tools Dw Z (Toulon), the beam of obstacle eight also hit the ground for him. Kevin Jochems (NED) his Flying Jackie (by Nabab de Reve) also touched the beams on jump eight but they were more lucky. Unfortunately, things went wrong for them on the very last hurdle.

Vice World Champion Jérôme Guery (BEL) bet on Floris TN (by Quality Time TN) to bring this 1.50m high second round to a good end, but they also received four penalty points. Steve Guerdat (SUI) took a lot of risk on Albfuehren's Maddox (by Cohiba 1198) but that effort paid off as the duo mercilessly took over the lead from Thomas'. No fewer than four seconds were shortened from their time, the new shortest time stood at 56.74s.

Unfortunately, Kim Emmen (NED) couldn't keep it dry on Inflame GO (by Namelus R) and they also left the arena with four penalty points. With three combinations to go, two more Belgian riders could try to bring the victory back to their own soil. We saw Virginie Thonon (BEL) with Just The Way (by Zirocco Blue VDL) at work, they were charged with a jumping fault.

So far only two combinations had managed to stay off the wood. Penultimate in the ring we saw Luiz Felipe Cortizo Gonçalves De Azevedo Filho (BRA). In the saddle of Sierra du Piedroux Z (by Hunter's Scendix) he added a third clear round to the final total and provisionally took bronze.

Finally, all eyes were on Wilm Vermeir (BEL). The Belgian rider was the last to try to keep the win on home soil and counted on Joyride S (by Toulon). Things went wrong for the duo on obstacle seven and the declining concentration also made them go wrong on jump eight.

TOP FIVE

1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Albfuehren's Maddox (by Cohiba 1198)

2. Gilles Thomas (BEL) – Ermitage Kalone (by Catoki)

3. Luiz Felipe Cortizo Gonçalves De Azevedo Filho (BRA) – Sierra du Piedroux Z (by Hunter's Scendix)

4. Gerfried Puck (AUT) – Equitron Naxcel V (by Balou du Rouet)

5. Jérôme Guery (BEL) – Floris TN (by Quality Time TN)




Rash