The end of the weekend is approaching and, of course, that also means that all the Grand Prix' scheduled for today are quietly coming to an end. So too at Sentower Park where the Zangersheide International 4* took place for the first time this weekend. The highlight of the weekend: the CSI4* Grand Prix promised to be a stunner and those expectations were certainly met. 48 combinations took their chances in this class built to 1m55. Nine of them managed to get through the first round without any jumping faults. A jump-off with nine would therefore decide who would take the win.
With Kurly vd Gorten (by Thunder vd Zuuthoeve), Annelies Vorsselmans was the first to register a clear jump-off behind her name. The Belgian rider rode a clear round in 39.13 seconds. This would eventually earn her fourth place.
However, her time was sharpened almost immediately: as the top German eventing rider, Michael Jung, with Fischerchelsea (by Check in 2) immediately went forward like a rocket. The duo left the wood untouched and finished in 36.72 seconds, a time that seemed almost impossible to go any faster. That it could be faster, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli proved as the penultimate competitor with Heureuse Nouvelle WH (by Cardento 933). Although the duo clocked off in 35.69 seconds, they also tapped one bar out of the spoons. The only one who could keep Jung from victory at that point was Francisco José Mesquita Musa with Object of My Affection Marathon (by Pilothago). However, they also got one jumping fault behind their name which ensured victory for Jung.
Second place came to Swiss Barbara Schneiper. She counted on Escoffier (by Lord Z) to jump clear to the finish in 37.60 seconds. Thibeau Spits was the best Belgian in third place. He rode King van Essene (by Calido I) clear in 38.17 seconds.
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli eventually finished fifth.
Pieter Devos (Claire Z) and Jan Vermeiren (Oakley van Dorperheide) provided other Belgian top ten placings.