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The Brazilian rider and H5 Knockando topped Thursday evening’s CSI5* 1.50m class, ahead of Kendra Claricia Brinkop and Christian Ahlmann.
Thursday evening’s CSI5* 1.50m class, presented by EquiHome, brought 54 combinations to the Grand Place Arena, with valuable qualification points towards Sunday’s Grand Prix at stake.
The competition was briefly interrupted when a heavy thunderstorm swept across the showgrounds, bringing an intense downpour with it. Despite the amount of rain that fell in just a few minutes, the quality of the grass footing, one of the features the Brussels Stephex Masters arenas are known for, meant that the arena recovered remarkably quickly. After only a short interruption, the competition could safely resume.
Pereira de Menezes sticks to his plan
Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes eventually came out on top with H5 Knockando (Comme Il Faut 5 x Stakkato). The pair delivered a clear and fast round in 71.03 seconds, setting a target that would remain unbeaten until the end of the class.
Drawn relatively early in the starting order, Pereira de Menezes knew there were still plenty of strong combinations to come. Rather than trying to predict what would be needed for the win, he decided to stick to the plan he had made beforehand. “I was number eleven and there were so many very capable riders still to come,” he explained. “My strategy was simply to ride my plan. I brought a very good horse and I wanted to be competitive. I said to myself: this is how I’m going to ride, and whether I end up first or tenth, that’s the way it is. In the end, luck put me on top.”
His partnership with H5 Knockando is one built over many years. The mare has been part of his team since she was four years old. “We’ve had her for seven years now,” he said. “She is so generous. She always gives 100 percent, and I’m lucky to be her rider.”
Brinkop and Ahlmann complete the podium
Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop came remarkably close. Riding Gatsby Le Magnific (Action Breaker x Ogano Sitte), she stopped the clock at 71.30 seconds, just 0.27 seconds behind the Brazilian winner.
The German challenge continued with Christian Ahlmann, who guided Vivario JL Z to another faultless round in 72.18 seconds to complete the podium.
Belgium also featured prominently in the classification. Abdel Saïd was the highest-placed Belgian rider of the evening, finishing fourth aboard Wathnan Max (Grandorado TN x Andiamo). Their clear round in 72.55 seconds left them less than two seconds from the winning time.
France’s Antoine Ermann followed in fifth with Jiamo VDS (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Carolus H) in 72.83 seconds, while a second Brazilian combination entered the top six as Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the experienced Dorette OLD (Dollar du Murier x Fighting Alpha 3) finished clear in 73.33 seconds.
Two more Belgian riders secured places inside the top eight. Niels Bruynseels and Devidanga SW Z (Dominator 2000 Z x Numero Uno) finished seventh in 74.40 seconds, followed by Emilie Conter and Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Bamako de Muze x Nabab de Rêve) in eighth place with a time of 75.42 seconds.
“Very humble, but very hungry”
Pereira de Menezes is no stranger to Belgium. With its central location in European show jumping, he spends a significant part of the year in the country and regularly uses it as a base for competing across Europe.
“Logistically, Belgium is right in the centre of Europe, so I spend quite a lot of time here during the year,” he explained.
After starting his Brussels Stephex Masters with a CSI5* win, he is keeping his ambitions for the remainder of the week deliberately open – although certainly not small.
“I came here very humble, but very hungry,” Pereira de Menezes smiled. “So we’ll see where that ends up.”
