Michael Jung wins the CSI4* Grand Prix!

The first edition of The Zangersheide International has come to an end! For 5 days, riders, breeders and spectators gathered in Sentower Park, Opglabbeek, for an unique combination of sport and breeding. During this final day, the CSI4* GP this afternoon was of course the absolute highlight and we got another spectacular denouement.

A total of 48 combinations appeared at the start of this CSI4* GP and 9 of them managed to qualify for the jump-off after a clear round. Just like during the 1.50m GP Qualfier on Friday evening, it was the German rider Michael Jung who claimed the victory with his 15-year-old mare Fischerschelsea (Check In 2 x Argent). Jung rushed to the finish in 36.72 seconds, which earned him almost a full second ahead of the competition

The 2nd place went to the Swiss lady rider Barbara Schnieper, who already jumped into the picture several times in recent days. Schnieper sent the 14-year-old gelding Escoffier (Lord Z x Numero Uno) to the finish line in 37.60 seconds and so ensured another top performance. Vice-Belgian Champion Thibeau Spits completed the GP podium in 3rd place. In the saddle of the 13-year-old grey stallion King Van Essene (Calido I x Chacco Blue), he also kept it clear in the jump-off in this is a time of 38.17 seconds.

Also German victory in the CSI1* GP

Earlier in the day, the CSI1* GP also took place and here too there was a German victory. It was Philipp Weishaupt who became the final laureate with the 8-year-old gelding Fabergde de Berg (Latour VDM x Clarimo ASK). In a jump-off for which 15 combinations were able to qualify, Weishaupt beated the competition with a clear round in 34.11 seconds.

With this performance he referred the Australian lady rider Evie Buller to the 2nd place in the ranking. In the saddle of the 12-year-old mare Elenoor (Limbus x Alcatraz), Buller also managed to ensure a clear jump-off, but she needed 34.33 seconds to complete her round. The 3rd place in this Grand Prix also went to a Belgian combination thanks to Wim Vinckx and the 8-year-old mare Hadewyn Van 't Ravennest (Comme Il Faut x Carrico). Vinckx finished in 35.02 seconds and so also secured a podium place.

Another victory for Charlotte Philippe

The final day of this first edition of The Zangersheide International started this morning with a 1.40m class and in this class there was a new victory for the Belgian lady rider Charlotte Philippe with her 11-year-old mare Godiva S (Andiamo Z x Darco). In a jump-off for which 8 of the 42 combinations were able to qualify, Philippe again managed to ensure a clear round and with a finish time of 28.89 seconds she already secured her 3rd victory of the weekend.

Philippe's compatriot Nico Baerts took 2nd place in this class with the 10-year-old chestnut gelding Casillias Z (Crowntano Z x Versace van het Ruytershof). Baerts also managed to keep all the poles in the cups in that jump-off and he crossed the finish line in 29.07 seconds. Finally, Barbara Schnieper was good for the 3rd place in the ranking in this class. She and her 13-year-old mare Judy KM (Joly St. Hubert x Saphir Von Der Rossi) finished clear in a time of 29.08 seconds.