The 1.60m course was held over two rounds. The best thirteen from the first round returned to the start for the second. Course designer Abbas Mohjer Irvanloo appeared to have built a challenging class, as only one combination succeeded in finishing both rounds clear.

Irish top rider Shane Breen piloted his 10-year-old BP Arctic Blue (A Pikachu de Muze, breeder: Paul Schockemöhle) to victory. "I knew a lot of fast combinations were to follow," Breen explains. "So my idea was just to stick to the plan. I had some doubts about the plank, but it worked out! It was great.."

Italy's Guido Grimaldi followed in second place in the saddle of the 15-year-old KWPN gelding, Gentleman (Vigo d’Arsouilles, breeder: A.J.W.P. Van Bijsterveldt). The Italian rider was notably the winner of last year's World Cup Grand Prix!

"This horse is just amazine, he is so calm," Grimaldi explains after his second place. "To be second after Shane is truly a great honour!"

British show jumper Alexander McLean was the last to start. Riding the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare, Calixte Heartbreaker Z (Cicero Z van Paemel), he knocked the penultimate fence out of the cups, finishing in third place. "It's great to see the progress in this region, and I can only be happy with the amazing results I had this week."

Together with HHS Los Angeles (Le Roi), Irishman Michael Pender finished just off the podium. The top five was rounded out by Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and his 10-year-old BWP mare, Qevita vd Bisschop (Vigo d’Arsouilles).

Sophie Hinners awarded leading lady

After the World Cup Sophie Hinners was awarded with the leading female rider award. "This is a great show," the German rider says. "It's great to see how the show, year after year improves and evolves. Super happy I could be a part of it this year."

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