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The final qualifier for the Grand Prix at the Brussels Stephex Masters, a Rolex Series event, delivered nothing short of tension and spectacle this evening. In the CSIO5* 1m50 qualifying competition with jump-off, presented by Audi, 52 combinations came forward. It was a course that demanded plenty of technical skill, with high stakes on the line: only the very best could still secure a ticket for the Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi, scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
After the first round, 11 riders remained clear. The nerves of the home crowd were tested for quite a while, as at the halfway break no Belgian rider had yet managed to qualify for the jump-off. Only afterwards did Pieter Devos and Niels Bruynseels secure their spots. Grégory Wathelet narrowly missed out on the jump-off with just one time fault: “I’m very happy with my horse, it’s a pity, but that happens. Tomorrow will be a beautiful show anyway, my colleagues and I are all looking forward to it.”
Before the class, Kim Emmen admitted: “I think I generally deal well with pressure. The biggest challenge is that I still need to qualify for tomorrow. Today’s course also looks just a bit more technical than yesterday.”
Argentinian rider José María Larocca, who did qualify for the jump-off, was determined: “It’s such a special evening, I’m already very happy with my horse’s performance. I will definitely take my chance in the jump-off. Abril Iconthon has a big stride, so I plan to take out a stride in a few places.”
The jump-off brought fireworks. Ben Maher, third to go, set the standard with a time of 42.28 seconds. It proved unbeatable despite the efforts of the remaining competitors. With riders such as Nadja Peter Steiner and Nina Mallevaey still in the ring, the tension lasted until the very end, but nobody could knock Maher off the top spot. He now looks like the man to beat in the Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi, already having claimed two major classes here this week.
Ben explained: “Ginger-Blue loves the Brussels Stephex Masters. She really enjoys the incredible crowd. She doesn’t have the biggest stride, and to the last fence I came on a slightly long distance. But she took it brilliantly and brought me another fantastic victory.”
This victory also earned him a stylish Audi A3 Sportback. Will he once again outpace the competition tomorrow? Don’t miss it at the Brussels Stephex Masters. The Rolex Grand Prix, presented by Audi, kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Ben Maher will start there with his top mount Point Break. The home crowd can count on Thibeau Spits (Impress-K van ’t Kattenheye Z), Zoe Conter (H5 Chaccophanie), Jérôme Guery (Great Britain V), Gregory Wathelet (Bond Jamesbond de Hay), Pieter Devos (Primo DV), Niels Bruynseels (Origi vd Vosberg), Jos Verlooy (Parise van den Dael), Gilles Thomas (Ermitage Kalone), Emilie Conter (Portobella van de Fruitkorf) and Olivier Philippaerts (H&M Miro).
Click here for the start list.
