Wherever Emanuele Gaudiano goes, every round he rides eventually turns into gold. The Italian was once again the one to watch with Chaccobeto (v. Chacco-Blue).
Aurelia Loser was allowed to be the first of the thirteen combinations in the jump-off. In this rather well-filled jump-off, the Swiss rider took no risks with Meibloem vd Donkhoeve (by Diamant de Semilly) and was able to finish clear in 32.98. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli followed in second on Comthago VDL (by Comme Il Faut) but halfway through the course the stallion made a mistake with the hindquarters. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar dived under Loser's time with D'Orient Batilly (by Numero Uno) to take over the lead with the time at 30.39.
In fourth for the Netherlands Harrie Smolders entered the arena to great applause from the audience. In the saddle of Dolinn (by Cardento) he focused on sharp turns, the strong point of the mare who also loses little time over the obstacles. Their clear round was eventually just a little slower and earned them second place for the time being.
Emanuele Gaudiano came in full force on Chaccobeto (by Chacco-Blue) and had fully pressed the gas pedal. With success, as it turned out as the new time to beat was set at 28.56. Jeroen Dubbeldam knew what to do in the 1.50m debut for Investment (by Kannan). The duo went all out but paid with a fault on the very last oxer. Then Kim Emmen could try it on the back of the experienced Delvaux (by Chacco-Blue). A clean round with 30.33 on the clock let them take over second place from Eduardo Alvarez Aznar.
With six combinations to go, Philipp Weishaupt came in second. Just Be Gentle (by Tyson) showed a lot of blood and power but fell just short of knocking Gaudiano off his lead with the chrono at 28.84. Noora Pentiti rode Con Caya (by Con Chello) clear in 30.87, a provisional sixth place.
Leopold van Asten came to strengthen the Netherlands' position with VDL Groep Miss Untouchable (by Chacco-Blue) but the mare made an estimation error on the oxer, ruling out a high ranking. Jodie Hall McAteer and Kimosa van het Kritrahof (by Chatman) were clearly competing for the prizes and immediately took a lot of risk. For a while they were ahead of Gaudiano's time but a wrong distance in the middle of the course charged them four penalty points.
Once again a Dutch combination appeared in the ring with Jur Vrieling with Griffin van de Heffinck (by Castelino van de Helle). Under cheers from the audience they stormed to the last obstacle but again it was just not to beat Gaudiano. With 28.96 they finished in tentative third place.
The very last combination was Remco Been, a native of Amsterdam, on Holland vd Bisschop (by Heartbreaker). Their goal was clear and they immediately started strong but on the same obstacle where McAteer miscalculated the duo also made a mistake.
Another victory for a rock-solid Emanuele Gaudiano, followed by Philipp Weishaupt. Jur Vrieling and Kim Emmen kept up the Dutch honor with third and fourth place.
TOP FIVE
- Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) - Chaccobeto (v. Chacco-Blue)
- Philipp Weishaupt (GER) - Just Be Gentle (by Tyson)
- Jur Vrieling (NED) - Griffin van de Heffinck (by Castelino van de Helle)
- Kim Emmen (NED) - Delvaux (by Chacco-Blue)
- Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) - D'Orient Batilly (by Numero Uno)