The CSI5* Grand Prix was contested over two rounds, with the top thirteen from the first round qualifying for the second. The better the performance in the first round, the later the starting position in the second round. Four Belgian combinations managed to maintain Belgian pride and secure their places after the 1.60m high base course. The first to take the stage was Christian Ahlmann. The German rider knocked a rail off the cups with Mandato van de Neerheide in the first round. The eleven-year-old BWP gelding is a breeding product of Eric Van Giel. The final obstacle also fell victim in the second round.
Wilm Vermeir was the second in the arena and the first for Belgium. Riding Joyride S (by Toulon), the fourteen-year-old BWP stallion had a jumping fault, accumulating a total of six penalty points with his two time faults from the first round. Next up was Gilles Thomas with Luna van het Dennehof (by Prince van de Wolfsakker), attempting to stay clear of the obstacles. The twelve-year-old mare from the stables of Marc Van Dijck smoothly tackled the high fences but finished with four penalty points. The Belgians followed each other smoothly, as after Thomas, we saw Niels Bruynseels enter the arena in the saddle of Origi Vd Vosberg (by Echo van 't Spieveld). The nine-year-old BWP gelding had a clean slate from the first round. They incurred four penalty points on the same obstacle as Thomas, the second of the double.
Olympic champion Ben Maher rode Dallas Vegas Batilly (by Cap Kennedy) and took calculated risks with the ten-year-old mare. Their courage was rewarded with a provisional first place. The target time to beat was 39 seconds. The first and at the same time only Dutch rider to start was Harrie Smolders. Teaming up with Bingo du Parc (by Mylord Carthago), Smolders also attempted sharp turns and a brisk pace, but this eventually cost them two jumping faults. Then it was again a Belgian combination's turn, the last to maintain honor.
In the ring appeared Olivier Philippaerts with H&M Legend of Love (by Landzauber). The seventeen-year-old mare lost a horseshoe in the first round, which knocked a rail off the cups. The fault was neutralized, leading them to the second round with a clean score. A jumping fault combined with a fast time temporarily placed them in second.
The second position was taken over by the Argentine José Maria (Jr) Larocca. Riding the thirteen-year-old KWPN gelding Finn Lente (by Gaillard de La Pomme), he remained double clear in second place with a time of 41.49 seconds. The very last to start was Jeanne Sadran. The French rider was the only female equestrian in the second round.
The CSI5* Grand Prix was contested over two rounds, with the top thirteen from the first round qualifying for the second. The better the performance in the first round, the later the starting position in the second round. Four Belgian combinations managed to maintain Belgian pride and secure their places after the 1.60m high base course. The first to take the stage was Christian Ahlmann. The German rider knocked a rail off the cups with Mandato van de Neerheide in the first round. The eleven-year-old BWP gelding is a breeding product of Eric Van Giel. The final obstacle also fell victim in the second round.
Wilm Vermeir was the second in the arena and the first for Belgium. Riding Joyride S (by Toulon), the fourteen-year-old BWP stallion had a jumping fault, accumulating a total of six penalty points with his two time faults from the first round. Next up was Gilles Thomas with Luna van het Dennehof (by Prince van de Wolfsakker), attempting to stay clear of the obstacles. The twelve-year-old mare from the stables of Marc Van Dijck smoothly tackled the high fences but finished with four penalty points. The Belgians followed each other smoothly, as after Thomas, we saw Niels Bruynseels enter the arena in the saddle of Origi Vd Vosberg (by Echo van 't Spieveld). The nine-year-old BWP gelding had a clean slate from the first round. They incurred four penalty points on the same obstacle as Thomas, the second of the double.
Olympic champion Ben Maher rode Dallas Vegas Batilly (by Cap Kennedy) and took calculated risks with the ten-year-old mare. Their courage was rewarded with a provisional first place. The target time to beat was 39 seconds. The first and at the same time only Dutch rider to start was Harrie Smolders. Teaming up with Bingo du Parc (by Mylord Carthago), Smolders also attempted sharp turns and a brisk pace, but this eventually cost them two jumping faults. Then it was again a Belgian combination's turn, the last to maintain honor.
In the ring appeared Olivier Philippaerts with H&M Legend of Love (by Landzauber). The seventeen-year-old mare lost a horseshoe in the first round, which knocked a rail off the cups. The fault was neutralized, leading them to the second round with a clean score. A jumping fault combined with a fast time temporarily placed them in second.
The second position was taken over by the Argentine José Maria (Jr) Larocca. Riding the thirteen-year-old KWPN gelding Finn Lente (by Gaillard de La Pomme), he remained double clear in second place with a time of 41.49 seconds. The very last to start was Jeanne Sadran. The French rider was the only female equestrian in the second round.