Release date: 09/08/2019

Gregory Wathelet opened the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard with a victory in the young horse division. The 38-year-old Belgian top rider was to fast for the competition in this class for six- and seven-year-olds with the BWP mare Melia de Regor (Elvis Ter Putte x Cento). “I ride this mare for two years and she is doing very well. She is super fast, very careful and she really wants to work for you,” said Wathelet, who is co-owner of Melia de Regor. The combination had some good results in May at Tops International Arena. They won a class during the first event and at the third event the finished runners-up in the final behind compatriot Olivier Philippaerts and Miss Marple.
Runner-up was Jos Verlooy with the mare Nazarine v. Axelhoeve (BWP, Emerald van ’t Ruytershof x Chellano Z). The 23-year-old Belgian, who currently takes 11th position in the LGCT rankings, needed 1.46 seconds more to jump the course of this Table A against the clock class. Third place went to tthe 23-year-old Kara Chad from Canada with the Holsteiner mare Celine H (Casall x Contender).
Tomorrow the combinations will return at 8 am in the second qualification for the final on Sunday.