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The CSI5* action continued at full speed on Friday afternoon at the Brussels Stephex Masters, a Rolex Series event. In the 1.55m Grand Prix qualifier presented by STX Finance, 56 combinations took to the Grand Place Arena, with valuable qualification points towards Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix at stake. Nine combinations produced a clear first round and advanced to the jump-off, where Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh proved untouchable.
Vanderveen had already shown her intentions in the opening round, keeping her 12-year-old gelding by Uriko clear within the time. In the jump-off, the American rider stepped things up another gear. A fast, fluent round in 35.02 seconds put her more than two seconds clear of the rest of the field and ultimately secured the win.
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Kentucky TN came closest. They also kept all the fences standing in the deciding round and stopped the clock at 37.33 seconds, good for second place. Germany’s Richard Vogel followed only half a second later aboard Gangster Montdesir, finishing third in 37.83 seconds.
Another top-five finish for Petronella Andersson and Odina
Petronella Andersson and Odina Van Klapscheut remained consistent in Brussels. After already finishing within the top five of another CSI5* class with the mare on Thursday, the Swedish rider repeated that performance on Friday. A double clear in 38.60 seconds earned the pair fourth place, meaning they have now finished among the top five with Odina on both days of their CSI5* competition so far.
Frederic Vernaet leads the Belgian charge
Belgium was represented in the top five by Frederic Vernaet with Orak d’Hamwyck T&L. They completed another double-clear performance in 40.17 seconds to finish fifth. Dutch rider Harrie Smolders and Monaco took sixth, while Daniel Deusser, Giampiero Garofalo and Pieter Devos completed the group of combinations that returned for the jump-off.
With another important Grand Prix qualifier decided, the picture for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix continues to take shape, and Kristen Vanderveen has certainly added her name to the list of combinations to watch.
