Nicolas Layec and Barbara Schnieper both take gold in 4* 1.40m class of Rouen

Nicolas Layec and Barbara Schnieper both take gold in 4* 1.40m class of Rouen

The first 4* class in Rouen, France, saw a large field of participants at the start, so numerous that the class was divided into two separate classifications. This resulted in two winners in the 1.40m class: Nicolas Layec took the gold with Echo du Galopin (Ogrion des Champs), and Barbara Schnieper won as well aboard Judy KM (Joly St. Hubert).

In the first classification, the 1.40m high course did not pose any problems for twenty combinations. With a time of 58 seconds, the Frenchman Nicolas Layec took the gold on the back of Echo du Galopin (Ogrion des Champs). Just eighteen hundredths after Layec, the Brazilian Francisco José Mesquita Musa and Jivaro Imperio Egipcio (Echo Van 'T Spieveld) finished second. Melanie Cloarec closed the podium in the saddle of Nora de Mariposa Pleville (Elvis Ter Putte), clocking in at 59.60 seconds.

Just over sixty seconds, Mesquita Musa also placed fourth, there on the chestnut mare Miss-Sarajevo Imperio Egipcio. Mel Thijssen closed the top five by flawlessly guiding 8-year-old Carembar Blue through the course in 60.40 seconds.

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Twenty combinations also remained clear in the second classification, which meant that time was again the decisive factor here. The Swiss Barbara Schnieper had understood this message loud and clear, and on the back of Judy KM (Joly St. Hubert) set an amazing gold round in 58.17 seconds. Just under one and a half seconds slower, the French Nathalie Mack followed second with the 11-year-old Baccara de l'Aubepine (Lamm de Fetan). The Belgian Charlotte Philippe needed just under thirty hundredths more, which ultimately earned her and the 10-year-old SBS mare Godiva S (Andiamo Z) the bronze.

For the Netherlands, Niels Kersten placed fourth in the saddle of the black KWPN gelding Granito Noordenhoek (Corland), followed by the Frenchman Laurent Goffinet on Absolut de Lacke (Diamant de Semilly).

Click here for the full results.