Thirty-four combinations braved the wind and rain to challenge the technical track designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade, while eight jumped clear to move on to the jump-off.
Chile’s Samuel Parot, who captured back-to-back FEI wins during the CSI3* week at GLEF in 2016, set the standard to beat with a double-clear performance in 37.63 seconds as the first to return in the jump-off aboard his own Romance Du Criolo.
Yet Vanderveen, who entered a total of three mounts in Friday’s class, immediately followed with the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, galloping around the shortened course in 36.09 seconds to take over the lead.
Five more horses and riders attempted to catch Vanderveen but were unsuccessful.
The final combination to return was Mexico’s Santiago Lambre and Dingeman. Lambre, who has won the past three consecutive FEI classes throughout Weeks Three and Four at GLEF, looked to claim his fourth win on Friday. However, Vanderveen ended his streak as he crossed the finish line in 37.57 seconds to settle for second place, while Parot rounded out the top three.
Also finishing double-clear in Friday’s competition was U.S. Olympian Margie Engle and Storm Ridge Capital LLC’s Dicas in fourth place in 39.07 seconds, while Erynn Ballard of Canada and Thalys Z, owned by The Thalys Group, secured fifth place in 39.21 seconds.