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Saturday morning at the Brussels Stephex Masters, a Rolex Series event, belonged to the CSI1* riders, with the 1.30m Grand Prix presented by Juliana Hotel serving as the final class of their competition in the Grand Place Arena. A field of 59 combinations lined up, but it was Ali Hussain Alnowais who ultimately proved unbeatable aboard Etoile de La Roche.
The UAE rider kept a clean sheet in the first round before producing another faultless performance when it mattered most. Crossing the finish in 42.16 seconds, Alnowais and the 12-year-old mare set the fastest clear time and secured the CSI1* Grand Prix victory.
Belgium’s Ines van den Bosch came closest to challenging the winning time. Together with Scalibur, she also remained clear and stopped the clock at 43.61 seconds to take second place. Brazil’s Thomás de Castro Gouvêa completed the podium with Ciarah Van’T Welthof, finishing clear in 44.25 seconds.
Belgian rider Caroline de Laet and Diacartho Blue PS added another home result in fourth place.
Fleur Beyne rewarded for consistency throughout the CSI1* competition
While the Grand Prix provided the final highlight, the CSI1* competition at this year’s Brussels Stephex Masters had another standout name. Fleur Beyne finished the week as the Best Rider of the CSI1* after an exceptionally consistent run of results. For her achievement, she also won a Stephex Small Tack Box.
The Belgian rider won three classes over the course of the competition and finished among the placed combinations in six of her eight starts. With victories as well as consistency across several days of competition, Beyne collected enough strong results to finish on top of the CSI1* rider standings.
