It took thirteen riders before no. fourteen succeeded with a clear round in the final for the 7-year-olds, and in the end nine moved on to the jump-off after tackling the big thirteen fence track set by Eugene Mathy – that included an open water, a triple combination as well as a tricky vertical-vertical combination. “Today it was perhaps not so big but really technical, and that is why there were not more clear rounds I think,” said Arroyave afterwards.
The battle for the medals would end up a hard one, and after the first four riders in the ring for the jump-off there were still no clear rounds – everybody took the risk, and paid the price.
Belgium had the chance to snatch the gold with Pieter Devos and the KWPN gelding Flash (Numero Uno x Indoctor) as last to go, but the big striding bay could not catch up with the quick-toed Koriano van Klapscheut with Devos having to settle for silver this time around after stopping the clock on 41.49 seconds.
“I have been riding this horse for a year, as well as it has been a year since I started for Gilbert (De Roock),” explained Dayro about his partnership with Koriano van Klapscheut. “It is a very special horse, but in a good way – the horse likes to play around a little bit. It also has a bit of character, but I really like it. It is a fantastic horse!”
“I have won both the Championship for 5- and 6-year-olds here before, so now to add the 7-year-old title – that makes me really happy about today!” concluded Dayro.
