Release date: 23/05/2018

The public was offered a spectacular 20-horse jump-off in the 2* Grand Prix on Wednesday afternoon. The penultimate fence caused a lot of trouble for many combinations but Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and Sandero had no problems jumping this fence and raced with an unbelievable speed to the last fence. Wathelet ‘flew’ through the course with his nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Sandro Boy x Cassini I) in 35.85 seconds. “Yes, it was fast, I don’t know exactly where I saved time. It could have been the turn to the first oxer or in the last line,” smiled Gregory. “I ride Sandero for four year, but this was only his second Grand Prix. He is a very friendly horse and he always performs the best he can.”
Bertram Allen (IRL) with Calafrieda and Pieter Devos (BEL) with Jade vd Bisschop took all the risks but weren’t fast enough. They had to settle for second and third place respectively.
Other winners of today in the CSI2* were Ruben Gomez Crespo (ESP) with Titaua du Chesi (Small Tour) and Chloe Winchester (GBR) with Charming Fellow Z.  
 
Housen wins CSI1* Grand Prix
In the 1* Grand Prix it was also Belgium that took first prize: 16-year-old Alexander Housen won with his BWP mare Esprit van de Wellington. The talented Junior also won the Big Tour yesterday. Last year he was still riding his pony at the European Championship in Kaposvar. Alexander rides at New Nordic Horses, which is owned by his parents Camilla Hauglin and Wim Housen. The youth is the future and that was very clear in this Grand Prix. Runner-up was 17-year-old Harry Allen, the younger brother of top rider Bertram. Harry was riding Harrie Smolders’s former horse EH Quick Nina (Holst., Quidam’s Rubin x Camiros). Harry was also riding his pony Cassandra van het Roelhof at the Europeans in Kaposvar were they won team gold. Mexico’s Mariel Victoria Aguirre finished in third with her Westphalian mare Taormina.
The other classes in the CSI1* were won by Carmen Edwards (GBR) with Hopscotch (Small Tour) and Claire Beecroft (GBR) met Sam W (Medium Tour).
 
Full results