KNOKKE- HEIST: It was another beautiful day at Knokke Hippique today offering top sport, sunny weather and lifestyle.
The CSI3* Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Baobab, was a real highlight of the day with a great field of riders. In total 79 competitors fought for clear rounds in the the 1m45 table A class, with 15 making it through to the jump off.
Kara Chad (CAN) on Cristo Beech was first to go in the jump off and rode a superb round, but sadly a slight rub on the final fence meant four faults on the scoreboard.
Guillaume Foutrier (FRA) was next to go on Clin Doeil du Paradis. After his superb performances last week, taking 3rd place in the CSI3* Grand Prix and a stunning 1st place the day after in the CSI2* Grand Prix, the hopes were high for another top round today. And he did not disappoint! The black gelding fought for his rider once more and flew over the final oxer. Clear and fast!
The world number one, Daniel Deusser (GER), and his Chacco-Blue mare La Una were another pair through to the jump off and crossed the finish clear after an impressive round. However, his time could not quite match that of the leading rider.
Then Vincent Lambrecht (BEL) entered the arena on S & L Rocky. The Belgian has been on a winning streak the last two days at Knokke Hippique, taking home gold in yesterday’s CSI2* class, presented by Lieven Hendrickx, and again this morning in the CSI3* 1m40, presented by Top Jumps. And he meant business again, not wasting time and asking his mount for tight turns over each obstacle, which the gelding effortlessly performed. He held for the last and clear in the fast time of 34.79s, meaning he was the new leader!
Last, but by no means least, Luis Ferreira (POR) and Cerruti Van Ter Hulst Z came into the ring focused on the task ahead. The grey mare sped off, clearing fence after fence. Another sensational clear, but just not quite fast enough to beat Lambrecht’s time.
The win, yet again, at Knokke Hippique today went to Vincent Lambrecht (BEL), in second place Luis Ferreira (POR), followed by Guillaume Foutrier (FRE) in third.
What an impressive ranking class and qualifier for tomorrow’s Grand Prix. If today’s action is anything to go by, tomorrow’s CSI3* GP will be nothing less than remarkable.
View the full results of the day: Here