Mechelen may already add the Italian national hymn to the favorites in their playlist, as Emanuele Gaudiano is unstoppable at this beautiful 5* competition. Just moments ago, the Italian rider captured gold for a second time by winning the 1.40m class aboard the 10-year-old Chacco-Blue son, Chaccobeto.
More than half of the strong field of competitors managed to jump a clear round in this first 5* class of the day, but only Gaudiano managed to do so in faster than 60 seconds. Aboard Chaccobeto he thus conquered gold for a second time this week, making him a formidable opponent in the World Cup leg on Friday afternoon.
Swiss rider Pius Schwizer needed 60.67 seconds to do the same on the back of Ellie de Chasnay (l'Arc de Triomphe Bois Margot), which earned him the silver. In front of his own crowd, Thibeau Spits also jumped to a medal, piloting the 13-year-old BWP gelding Juragold Bormes (Contact van de Heffinck) to bronze in 61.32 seconds.
Just off the podium, Thomas Ryan jumped to fourth place on the BWP stallion Carmel van de Watering (Diamant de Semilly), forty hundredths ahead of Pole Przemyslaw Konopacki (van Helsing).
Find the full results HERE.
Photo: © Houou Tomita for Equnews
