Koen Vereecke won the CSI5*-W 1,50m KBC Prize of Jumping Mechelen with Oilily de Muze.
Only a quarter of the turnout for the Prize KBC managed to leave the bars in the reels during the basic 1.50m course, after which an equally challenging shortened version awaited.
Willem Greve did what no doubt everyone expected of him and made the most of his Highway TN. The 12-year-old stallion by Eldorado vd Zeshoek could not be caught out on any faults and was guided over the finish line by his rider in 37.14s.
With the entry of Thibeau Spits and King van Essene (Calido I), we tapped half of the combinations to come. The pair secured the second clear ride, their time listed at 39.78s. Then came Mathieu Bourdeaud'Hui. The entire Nekkerhal carried the 21-year-old rider, also Vice World Champion in Lanaken with 7-year-old Remco van den Uilenbos, on his hands. With Oscar The Homage (Quint vh Maarlo Z), only 10 years old, he seemed to shift up another gear in the final line, giving them a time of 36.44s!
With three combinations to go, the Belgian victory was already a fact, as only compatriots could still snatch away the young talent's win. Koen Vereecke sent Oilily de Muze (Vigo d'Arsouilles) to the finish line in 35.62s, knocking Bourdeaud'Hui off the lead. 22-year-old Jules van Hoydonck, winner of the U25 Grand Prix in Geneva, could not change that with Minte vd Bisschop (Plot Blue).
Last but one in the ring: Frédéric Vernaet and Okina van de Bien. Just last year the T&L rider had to give way to Gerfried Puck. Eager for revenge, he saddled the 10-year-old mare by Toulon.
Only a quarter of the turnout for the Prize KBC managed to leave the bars in the reels during the basic 1.50m course, after which an equally challenging shortened version awaited.
Willem Greve did what no doubt everyone expected of him and made the most of his Highway TN. The 12-year-old stallion by Eldorado vd Zeshoek could not be caught out on any faults and was guided over the finish line by his rider in 37.14s.
With the entry of Thibeau Spits and King van Essene (Calido I), we tapped half of the combinations to come. The pair secured the second clear ride, their time listed at 39.78s. Then came Mathieu Bourdeaud'Hui. The entire Nekkerhal carried the 21-year-old rider, also Vice World Champion in Lanaken with 7-year-old Remco van den Uilenbos, on his hands. With Oscar The Homage (Quint vh Maarlo Z), only 10 years old, he seemed to shift up another gear in the final line, giving them a time of 36.44s!
With three combinations to go, the Belgian victory was already a fact, as only compatriots could still snatch away the young talent's win. Koen Vereecke sent Oilily de Muze (Vigo d'Arsouilles) to the finish line in 35.62s, knocking Bourdeaud'Hui off the lead. 22-year-old Jules van Hoydonck, winner of the U25 Grand Prix in Geneva, could not change that with Minte vd Bisschop (Plot Blue).
Last but one in the ring: Frédéric Vernaet and Okina van de Bien. Just last year the T&L rider had to give way to Gerfried Puck. Eager for revenge, he saddled the 10-year-old mare by Toulon.