The top twelve combinations from the first round returned for the second round. Ultimately, no one managed to remain faultless after both rounds, resulting in a final jump-off featuring 6 combinations representing 6 different countries! Reigning World Champion Steve Guerdat was the first to start with the Belgian-bred Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze)!

The Swiss rider put the pressure on the competition with a clear jump-off round, smoothly crossing the finish line in 42.25 seconds! British show jumper Ben Maher followed with Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon). The pair immediately proved they could do better, clearing the course in 41.40 seconds! Roy van Beek and Cavoiro-H OLD (Casallco) also kept it clear, playing it safe with a finish time of 47.88 seconds.

Consequently, Richard Vogel and Julius-Peter Sinnack's United Touch 'S' (Untouched) felt the pressure. The pair left no millisecond to spare but still knocked a rail out of the cups. The clock stopped at 41.92 seconds, placing the duo temporarily fourth behind Van Beek. Only Lillie Keenan was left to change the outcome!

"This is just an incredible day! I've been here for a couple of times and normally luck is not on my side," Maher says after his victory! "Things didn't go for me well yesterday, but I did got on today and that's the sport. One day you're at the floor, the other you can win. It was a long night, but happy we got on and I trusted my horse..."

Lillie Keenan Defines the Podium

Tension was high as Lillie Keenan was the last to start with the KWPN gelding Fasther (Vigo d'Arsouilles). The pair finished in 41.85 seconds, taking second place by a narrow margin. Steve Guerdat thus took third ahead of Belgium's Roy van Beek. Richard Vogel and United Touch 'S' completed the ultimate top five...

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