Release date: 11/05/2016

The closing 2* Grand Prix in the foot perfect grass arena at Tops International Arena was exciting until the very last rider. In the initial first round 20 combinations stayed clear to qualify for the jump-off. Second to go in was Dutch rider Sander Geerink, son of international Peter Geerink, and he set a tight time with Robinson (KWPN, Rubert R x Odermus R) and for a while it seemed unbeatable. It was until Pieter Devos entered the arena that it was proven that Sander’s time could be beaten. Next to go was his compatriot Karel Cox who immediately took over Pieter’s lead. But finally it was Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci who rode the fastest round with his 10-year-old mare Cuarta and showed it was possible to ride this jump-off course in less than 38 seconds. The USA’s Hilary McNerney jumped a nice and smooth round to finish runner-up with Z Acodate DDL (KWPN, Acord II x Aldatus).
 
Belgium’s Christophe Verhulsel won the CSI1* Grand Prix with the eight-year-old BWP gelding Iago Des Hausseurs (Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Landor S). The pair had a clear round in the jump-off in 35.59 seconds. Runners-up were Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami (KSA) and his nine-year-old BWP mare Hymne D’O (Bentley VD Heffinck x Gentleman Platiere). Italy’s Pierpaolo Addis came third with Ultimatum Ideal (SF, Ideal de la Loge x Laudanum).
 
Young Horses
Three Finals were staged for the young horses, the future stars of the jumping sport. Monday’s winner of the five-year-old horses division, Belgium’s Jan Geukens and his KWPN mare Guschenka (Namelus x Acorado), repeated their victory in today’s Final. He finished in third place with his other youngster, Gorsinaa (KWPN, Cordento x Nimmerdor). Runners-up were yesterday’s winners Sander Geerink and Galita O (KWPN, Verdi x Damiro) for the Netherlands.
Emanuele Gaudiano scored a hat trick by also winning the Final for six-year-olds with the NRPS mare Darlanda (Carlendro x Baloubet du Rouet). Egypt’s Karim El Zoghby finished runner-up with Scotch (HANN, Stolzenberg x Escudo I) and Britain’s Tim Wilks was a close third with Kay (by Echo van het Neerenbosch).
Irish top rider Bertram Allen took victory in the seven-year-old Final with Christy Jnr (BWP, Indoctro x Clinton). The pair finished their jump-off round in 38.36 seconds. Just less than a second slower was Brazil’s Paulo Fernando de Miranda with Czarina Jmen (BH, Clavigo Jmen x Contender) to finish runner-up. Third place went to Belgium’s Pieter Devos and his BWP mare Julyssi van Orti (Cicero x Vigo d’Arsouilles).
 
Small Tour
The CSI1* Small Tour competition on Wednesday morning was won by Ludivine Mandron and Elastique DNL (BWP, Sheyenne de Baugy x Flipper d’Elle). Sweden’s Isabell Bengtsson crossed the finishline in 58.59 seconds and that proved to be fast enough for first place in the CSI2* Small Tour class with Fernando (BWP, Triomphe De Muze x Darco).
 
Medium Tour
The two Medium Tour classes (1* and 2*) were staged in the afternoon just before the start of the two Grands Prix. Emanuele Gaudiano added a fourth victory to his winning list in the 1* competition. For this occasion he saddled Haïti van de Vinkhoeve, a nine-year-old BWP mare by Andiamo x Cassini I. The 2* was won by Harrie Smolders and EH Quick Nina (HOLST, Blokland x Camiros). Harrie won yesterday’s main class with 11-year-old gelding Aiyetoro.
 
The organisation of Tops International Arena can look back on a very successful inaugural event and is looking forward to the second event which will be organized from Monday 16 (Whit Monday) til Wednesday 18 May. Be part of it!