A challenging course, an enthusiastic crowd, and a top international field. It was precisely this combination that made the Rolex Grand Prix such an incredibly exciting competition. With a Rolex watch and an Audi car at stake, the riders knew what awaited them in this 1.60 m course, ridden over two rounds. In the end, Nina Mallevaey took home the victory aboard her 12-year-old SF-mare, Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly, breeder: Eric Levallois).
The Rolex Grand Prix attracted 49 combinations, of which only 12 were allowed to advance to the second round. But it was Nina Mallevaey who stole the show once again: with a clear round in both rounds and a rock-solid jump-off in 40.75 seconds, she had everyone eating out of her hand. The French rider thus proved her incredible talent once again, having already won the Nations Cup with Team France earlier this week. ‘I am so happy. There is no better place where I would have wanted to win my first five-star Grand Prix,’ Mallevaey beamed.
However, the Belgian home crowd were not disappointed. Gregory Wathelet also rode his Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly) twice without faults and ultimately finished as runner-up in 41.71 seconds.
He was joined on the podium by Britain's Harry Charles aboard his Belgian bred gelding, Sherlock (Bisquet Balou vd Mispelaere). ‘He is twelve, but still feels young. He has been extremely consistent this year. Without him, I would be struggling in this sport right now.’
The pair was followed by Mexico's Andres Azcarraga who, aboard Contendros 2 (Contendro I), referred Ireland's Trevor Breen with Highland President (Clinton) to the fifth spot.
