It was Belgium's own Nicola Philippaerts that took home the biggest win on the opening day of CSI5* competition at Knokke Hippique. 

Riding the 12-year-old gelding H&M Quenzo de la Roque (Kannan x Jasmin), Philippaerts went to the top in the CSI5* 1.50 competition against the clock presented by Sovaro. With almost two seconds down to last year's Grand Prix winners at this event – Jerome Guery and Papillon Z (Perhaps x Cassini I) – it was a comfortable win for Nicola. Another three seconds behind Philippaerts, followed Swiss rider Steve Guerdat on Albführen's Happiness (Heartbeat x Lambrusco Ask). Fourth went to the third Belgian rider within the top five; Niels Bruynseels, while Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano ended fifth. 

Earlier in the day Germany's Marcus Ehning won the CSI5* 1.45 class presented by La Reserve. Riding the 10-year-old stallion Singular LS La Silla (Chapultepec La Silla x Stakkato), Ehning slotted in ahead of Great Britain's Ben Maher in second and Switzerland's Janika Sprunger in third. 

Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson