In Mechelen the highlight of the weekend has just been ridden; the World Cup of Mechelen. 40 combinations entered the show ring for this class with jump-off. A jump-off with seven combinations had to decide about the winner. Christian Ahlmann was the first one to enter the show ring for the jump-off. He and Taloubet Z (f. Galoubet A) went fast as lightening. This resulted in a very fast time (38,83 seconds) but unfortunately the German rider didn't keep the zero on the scoreboard. In the ended he got the fifth place. Harrie Smolders once again why he is one of thé riders to beat at this moment. He rode is 13-year old KWPN gelding Zinius (f. Nabab de Reve) to the finish line in 38,19 seconds. No other combination could equal the time of the Dutch rider. Smolders came to Mechelen because he wanted to win the world cup, seems like his mission is accomplished. The second place went to Henrik von Eckermann. He rode the 11-year old Marie-Lou 194 to the finish line in 38,74 seconds. The fast Italian rider Lorenzo de Luca took account of the third place. He and the best stallion in the world; Halifax vh Kluizenbos (f. Heartbreaker) went fast as lightening and finished in 39,97 seconds. Daniel Deusser and Cornet d'Amour (f. Cornet Obolensky) jumped a clear jump-off as well. They finished in 40,51 seconds and this resulted in a fourth place. Roger Yves Bost and Sangria du Coty (f. Quaprice Bois Margot) completed the top five. Unfortunately the World Cup was paused for a few moments because of a fall. Ludger Beerbaum's Chacon (f. Chacco Blue) decided to jump one extra fence, causing Ludger to loose his balance. Soon more information...
