During the CSIO4* competition in Avenches, a strong international field gathered for a technically challenging 1m50 course with a jump-off. Belgium also made its presence felt among the international heavyweights. In the end, it was Gilles Thomas who flew the Belgian flag and was crowned the winner.
With his nine-year-old gelding Lavanoche T&L Z (Lavallino ter Klomp), he not only completed the basic course faultlessly in 75.73 seconds, but also showed nerves of steel in the jump-off. Although he had one jumping fault, he clocked a particularly fast time of 40.17 seconds, more than enough to secure victory.
The battle for the podium places was intense, with Switzerland's Sasha Barthe and Broceliande du Lac (Rock'n roll Semilly) finishing second in 42.67 seconds, also with four penalty points in the jump-off. The Norwegian duo Mira Oliva Hoeidal and Mayfair (London) followed in third place with four penalty points in 43.65 seconds. Germany saw Pia Reich with PB Djazz d'Arvor (Quarz de Talma) finish fourth after eight penalty points in 42.01 seconds.
The top five was rounded off by the Swiss duo Bryan Smits and Coria von Hof (Coronino), who recorded eight penalty points in 42.80 seconds.
For Belgium, Thomas' victory was not the only achievement. Jeroen Appelen with Dancing Wolf O.L. (Mylord Carthago HN) also rode strongly into the spotlight. After a clear first round, he had to accept twelve penalty points in the jump-off, but his time of 41.86 seconds was enough for a strong sixth place.
