Constant Van Paesschen and Kannavara Z, winners of the CSI2* Grand Prix presented by Dammann Reitplatz- u. Sportplatzbau GmbH at Spring MET II 2024. Photo © Hervé Bonnaud/1clicphoto.com.
Press release from Mediterranean Equestrian Tour
Spring MET 2024 continued this week at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova, Spain, with the second part of the tour, and the first week of action concluded on Sunday with a Belgian victory in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by Dammann Reitplatz- u. Sportplatzbau GmbH.
A total of ten pairs out of the 62 participants at start cleared the first-round track set by the Austrian course designer Franz Madl. In the jump-off, it was Belgium’s Constant Van Paesschen and Kannavara Z (Kannan x Contender) that clocked the fastest time – taking the win in 40.66 seconds
“Kannavara came to me at the end of last year,” Van Paesschen explained after his victory. “We struggled a bit in the beginning to get to know each other, it did not come as easy as I thought it would. Now I have a feeling that she totally understands me, and that she is with me.”
“I knew my horse is quick, and in the end, I think the jump-off suited me today,” Van Paesschen continued. “Maybe my luck was that the first line rode a bit short for most and for me it was actually quite nice, and I don’t lose time as Kannavara is fast on the ground. She jumped better in the second round than in the first, I think."
Constant Van Paesschen and Kannavara Z. Photo © Hervé Bonnaud/1clicphoto.com.
Van Paesschen, who won the CSI3* Grand Prix presented by Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort with Diaz du Thot in January, is a familiar face in Oliva Nova. “I stay for two more weeks and then I go back home,” he said about his plan moving forward. “I have used my time in Oliva to get settled with my horses again. I took a break from competing at the end of last year and I came here early so that I could be quiet with my six horses. It’s a nice feeling to get good results again.”
Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE) and Dyrka du Carry (Siryus de Bavoz x Ruyblas) had to settle for the second place with a time of 41.36, while Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Denver de Talma (Vigo Cece x Canturo Bois Margot) placed third after crossing the finish line in 42.70 seconds. Vincent Lambrecht (BEL) and Catwalk Harry (Verdi TN x Obos Quality) finished fourth, followed by Guillaume Fortrier (FRA) aboard Top of the Bill 89 Z (Otangelo x Andiamo) in fifth.
Spring MET II 2024 runs until February 25 and is followed by Spring MET III in March and Spring MET IV in April.
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