Release date: 15/05/2017

Great sport, a relaxed atmosphere and perfect weather, the first day of the second event at Tops International Arena was a success with victories for Brazil, Great Britain, Belgium and the USA.
 
CSI2*
Monday’s main class was the CSI2* Big Tour (1.45m) class. In total 68 combinations entered the arena of which 17 came back in the jump-off for the final battle. Belgium’s Jos Verlooy had set a time of 39.86 seconds that seemed unbeatable, but just a bit later it was American Reed Kessler who was 0.01 seconds faster with Cos I Can (ISH, Olympic Lux x Harlequin du Carel).  Jos Verlooy had to settle for second place with Igor, a nine-year-old BWP gelding by Emerald van ’t Ruytershof. Another five riders stayed clear but could not get near those 39 seconds. Third place went to Emma Augier de Moussac (CZE) with Domino van de Valhoeve (KWPN, Lord Z x Concorde) in 43.12 seconds.  
 
The Medium Tour (1.40m) in the CSI2* counted 72 combinations on the startlist. The Two Phases class was won by Pedro Veniss and the 11-year-old SBS mare Anaya Ste Hermelle. The Brazilian stopped the clock at 27.61 seconds. The 34-year-old rider, who runs his own stable in Ittre (Belgium) together with international Cassio Rivetti, rides the mare internationally since March 2014. Holland’s Anne-Liza Makkinga was a happy runner-up with Finesse van Sappenleen (BWP, Heartbreaker x Numero Uno).  Raphaële Peninqaue Guilbert from France was in the lead for a long time but ultimately she had to settle for third place with Classico van de Helle (Holst, Clearway x Coronado).
 
Jos Verlooy won the 2* Small Tour (1.35m) class with the 13-year-old Danish-bred mare Apollonia 23 (Bøgegaardens Apollo x Bøgegårdens Capello). The 21-year-old Belgian, who lives in Grobbendonk and rides for his father’s Euro Horse Stables, stopped the clock at 30.72 seconds. Over two seconds slower, 32.78 seconds, was Emma Augier de Moussac with Bella Brown (KWPN, Van Gogh x Gran Corrado) to finish runner-up. Earlier that morning Emma won the class for  six-year-olds. Third place was for Britain’s top rider Scott Brash, who set a time of 35.26 seconds with Cademuir (SHBGB, Sebastian III x Concorde).
 
CSI1*
The Big Tour was won by Britain’s Alex Barr with the 11-year-old KWPN mare Bettilina (Kojak x Manhattan). He also won the Medium Tour with this mare last week. Caio Carvalho Filho finished second for Brazil with Aimee N (Holst, Larimar x Athlet Z). Third place went to Oliver Lazarus, South Africa, with Bagheera Blue (Oldbg, Chacco Blue x Carnute).
 
Danielle Goldstein, born in the USA and riding for Israel since 2010, won the Medium Tour class with Zorado, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Indorado. The 32-year-old rider has her own stable facility, Starwyn Farms, in Wellington, FL, and had her international debut in 2012. Holland’s Lauren van Berkel tried, as one of the last starters, to beat Goldstein’s time, but just missed out with Prele du Chanois (SF, Fango in Blue x Tenor de Conde) and finished runner-up. Norway’s Kristine Seierstad and Fitty Faline (KWPN, Numero Uno x Lupicor) took third place.
 
Caroline Breen (GBR) rode to victory in the Small Tour (1.10m) with Kilmastulla Douglas (ISH) followed by Sweden’s Sara Forslin with Cabrero (Holst, Contender x Carvallo) and Germany’s Laura Ling with Nialotta Z (Zang, Nonstop x Pilot).
 
Full results