With immence class and style it was Nicola Philippaerts who just supriced everyone in a seven man jump-off for the VDL Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. As first starter the young Belgian rider raised the bar by riding a very fast time none could beat.
In the saddle of the 9-year-old H&M Harley v. Bisschop it was Philipaerts was first to go and managed to rider a round right out of the schooling books. Taking the most efficient line across the course the pair did not seem al to fast but put 40.80 seconds on the clock.
"I am really happy! It was a nice course and I made my plan and it all worked out fine. He is a really carefull horse and when you ride him a bit more he only gets better." said a humble Nicola Philippaerts after his fantastic win.
Even Hans-Dieter Dreher and the more experienced Embassy II (v. Escudo I) could not to keep the Belgian rider from the win. The German did however set up for a very fast time being nearly a second faster into the last line, but there they lost their momentum and finished just behind Philipearts with a time of 41.21 seconds.
On third place it was Jos Verlooy (42.49 seconds), who had already amazed the crowd in his first round when the his horse leaped over jump six and nearly dismounted the rider. But Verlooy held on to go clear and come back in the jump-off with his Diamant de Semilly gelding Sunshine to claim a prize.
The top 5 was completed by Dutch rider Harrie Smolders, who just missed the podium riding his Don VHP Z to fourth place, and Max Kühner who finished in fifth.
Go here to see all the results.
