The 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels delivered thrilling show jumping action. In the end, the last rider turned out to be the winner. Richard Vogel jumps to Grand Prix victory with Gangster Montdesir (Kannan). "I have to thank my team enormously. Last week was full focus on Aachen with just United Touch; my team made sure Gangster could shine here today, fit and healthy!"
The top 12 combinations from the first round entered the ring a second time. First to start was Denis Lynch and the 13-year-old Vistogrand (Fantaland, breeder: Nicol Carron). The duo set the tone with a total of two jumping errors in 45.57 seconds. Keeping the poles in the cups proved to be a challenge.
Halfway through the second round, Daniel Deusser took the lead with Bernard Abreu's bred BWP mare Pepita van 't Meulenhof BR (El Torreo de Muze). Deusser took the top spot with one jumping error in 43.01 seconds.
Just before Frederic Vernaet was set to start in front of his home crowd, Simon Delestre came quite close to victory. Together with the SF gelding Gatsby du Tillard (President, breeder: B. Lejeune), Delestre crossed the finish line with one jumping error in 46.61 seconds.
Frederic Vernaet followed at the start with the BWP stallion Orak d'Hamwyck (Tobago Z, breeder: Danny Vergauwen - Van Impe). The duo knocked one rail out of the cups in 46.66 seconds, finishing just behind Delestre. With his sights set on a podium finish, Eduardo Pereira de Menezes, as second to last, spoiled Vernaet's plans. Riding the KWPN gelding H5 Londontime (Hummertime, breeder: H.P.H. Vaessen), the Brazilian stayed clear in 42.85 seconds, demoting Deusser to second place.
The final combination to start was Richard Vogel and the SF stallion Gangster Montdesir (Kannan, breeder: Haras Montdesir). Starting last, the duo jumped to the ultimate victory in 42.34 seconds.
Vogel wins!
Richard Vogel thus continues his Rolex success. With this Grand Prix victory, he relegated Eduardo Pereira De Menezes to second place. Home rider Daniel Deusser completed the top three. Just off the podium follows Simon Delestre, while Frederic Vernaet rounds out the top five!
"Orak really gave me confidence today!"
"The Grand Prix course was beautifully built. You had options to play with distances," Frederic Vernaet shared afterward. "I'm really happy with how Orak jumped this week! He made a strong impression. Thanks to his good form over the past few days, I could start this Grand Prix with full confidence!"
Richard Vogel also wanted to give full credit to the course designer. "I also want to thank the entire organizing team of this competition. Every detail was spot on, and I'm super happy that I could be here this year. It was a true experience!"
