The first competition for the approved stallions saw a total of 55 combinations jump the opening round over 1.40m in two phases.26 horse-and-rider combinations finished with a double clear of which Szabó Jr. and the nine-year-old Genius Conference (Zico Blue x Verdi TN) clocked the fastest second-phase time of 26.43 seconds. Registered with the Hungarian Sport Horse (HSH) studbook, Genius Conference was bred by and still owned by Ferenc Koncz.

Belgium’s Thibeau Spits followed closely in second place aboard Gin Flip de Muze Z (Gino H x Elvis ter Putte). The pair also remained clear throughout, stopping the clock in 27.43 seconds in the second phase. The nine-year-old Zangersheide stallion was bred by Lies De Backer and Jef Desmedt. Dutch rider Gerben Morsink completed the top three with hombred nine-year-old Corthago Z (Cornet Obolensky x Carthago, (co-breeder J. Erven huis). Another double-clear performance saw the pair finish the second phase in 28.50 seconds.

Finishing just outside the top three was Germany’s Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking with the 11-year-old Westphalian stallion Toenne 5 (Thagoras x Carthago Z). The pair completed their round in 30.07 seconds. Toenne 5 was bred by ZG Antonius & Berthold Johannigesecker.

Belgium’s Thomas de Wit completed the top five aboard Ecuador DW Z (El Torreo de Muze x Quasimodo van de Molendreef). The 11-year-old Zangersheide stallion, bred by DW-Stables, also jumped a double clear, crossing the finish in 30.26 seconds to take fifth place.