Melusina BVL Z jumps to silver in the CSI2* GP of Lier

For the second week in a row there was some international action on Belgian soil in Azelhof, Lier, last weekend. The weather conditions were anything but ideal, but quite a few Zangersheide horses managed to perform well. For example, during the CSI2* GP on Sunday afternoon, a leading role was reserved for the British rider Samuel Hutton with the 9-year-old mare Melusina BVL Z, a daughter of Mylord Carthago and Air Jordan Z who was bred in the Netherlands by H.L.M. from Lier. Hutton and Melusina BVL Z were one of the 13 combinations that remained clear in the basic round of coursedesigner Eddy Geysemans and his team and so qualified for the jump-off. They again managed to ensure a clear round in that jump-off and with a finish time of 42.41 seconds they secured a 2nd place in the ranking.

But there were also some blue/yellow victories in Azelhof and one of those victories was secured by the British lady rider Lily Atwood with her 13-year-old gelding Cor-Leon Vd Vlierbeek Z, the son of Calvaro Z and Omar who was bred by Chris Anné and Eva De Maeyer and with whom Atwood has already achieved many great performances in the past. During the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Friday afternoon they beated the competition with a clear jump-off in 34.99 seconds.

The 2nd place in this Longines Ranking class went to the Belgian rider Anthony Wellens with the 8-year-old mare Cuberlina II Z (PKZ Contact van de Heffinck x Querlybet Hero – B: Eric and Alain Paridaens). They also ensured a clear jump-off, but crossed the finish line in 35.34 seconds.

Also on Friday, the Brazilian rider Bernardo Alves jumped to a victory with the 11-year-old chestnut mare Vigo's Flip de Muze Z, a daughter of Vigo d'Arsouilles and Robin I Z who was bred by Joris De Brabander and with whom Alves already became 6th the day before. During the 1.35m high speed class, Alves and Vigo's Flip de Muze Z finished in 62.29 seconds, which put them more than half a second ahead of the competition. The Belgian rider Jules Van Hoydonck completed the podium in 3rd place with the 10-year-old mare Elize Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Prince Royal – B: Kris Van Kerckhove). They also delivered a flawless performance.

During the 1.40m final on Saturday afternoon, Van Hoydonck's compatriot Hendrik Denutte secured a victory with the 9-year-old gelding Nevada Quality Z, a son of Numero Uno and Argentinus who was bred by Koen Terryn. In a jump-off for which 19 combinations were able to qualify, they again kept all the poles in the cups and with a time of 38.63 seconds they also had more than half a second ahead of the competition. Moreover, it was already the second top ranking of the weekend for the duo, because during the 1.40m class on Thursday they secured already a 3^rd in  the ranking.

And also in this 1.40m final we got a second Zangersheide horse on the podium with the Luxembourg lady rider Odile Gierech and the 11-year-old mare A-Myra Z (Arko III x Takashi Van Berkenbroek – B: Theo Korsten). They also kept it clear twice and this resulted in a 3rd place in the ranking.

Another striking combination in Azelhof was the Belgian lady rider Elisa Strubbe with her 9-year-old gelding Deejay KDW Z (Diamant de Semilly x Vigo d'Arsouilles – B: Emile de Waele). Both during the 1.45m high Longines Ranking class on Friday and during the CSI2* GP on Sunday, they managed to secure a 5th place in the ranking after a double clear round.

Another combination that was placed twice was the Belgian rider Christophe Vanderhasselt with the 11-year-old grey gelding Arthuro de Sarlar Z (Bremeersen Adorado x Obourg – B: Andre Tavernier). After a 2nd place in the 1.40m class on Thursday, they jumped to an 8th place in the CSI2* GP on Sunday. A fault in the jump-off kept them from a place on the podium. Furthermore, Vanderhasselt managed to jump into the spotlight twice with the 9-year-old gelding Kraque Boom d'Avifauna Z (Kannan x Kashmir Van Schuttershof – B: BVBA Avifauna). They started their show with a 9th place during the 1.40m class on Thursday and during the 1.45m class on Saturday followed a 7th place.

Last but not least, the Belgian rider Kim Thiry was also placed twice with the 10-year-old gelding Chayne Z (Clarissimo Z x Chellano Z – B: J.A.M. Hoogers). Both during the 1.40m class on Thursday and during the CSI2* GP on Sunday they were good for a 6th place in the ranking.