Edited press release from Tops International Arena

The closing day of thrilling action at Tops International Arena Summer Event Three ending with flying Frenchman Simon Delestre and the lightning fast Dexter Fontenis Z (Diarado x Voltaire) stealing the win in the CSI4* Grand Prix. Delestre denied Sanne Thijssen (NED) and her Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winning partner Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino) a home win today as they stopped the clock over a second faster in the 1.55m jump-off. 

Continuing his fantastic form, Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) gave it the best go possible having to settle for third in the end, just 0.09s slower than Thijssen on Crack Balou (Balou du Reventon x Chacco-Blue). But it was Simon’s flyer to the penultimate fence and him risking it all to the last that mean he took the lion’s share of the €100,000 prize purse. 

All week top riders have praised the phenomenal facilities at Tops International Arena including Christian Kukuk who said: “I always like coming to Valkenswaard because you have top training facilities, top warm ups, top rings and the whole package with the permanent stables is just one of the best in Europe. You can work with your horses under the best conditions.”