Press release from Knokke Hippique

The main event of the day at Knokke Hippique was the CSI3* Grand Prix presented by Stephex Horsetrucks. After having battled through two qualifying classes, a total of 58 riders lined up for the Grand Prix. The course was fast and built big, catching many riders out. Even some of the world’s best, such as Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL), could not quite master it and had unlucky faults, meaning they were not qualified for the jump-off. 

A total of 10 clears went through to fight for the trophy. First in was Carolina Aresu Garcia Obregon (ESP) and Untrepide de Puychety (Mr Blue x Hand In Glove). She rode a great round, but the tricky turn back to fence number three caught her stallion out. Half way through the jump-off and there still were no clears, but then the Frenchman Bernard Briand Chevalier rode in on Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly x Kannan*Gfe) and delivered what everyone had been waiting for - the first clear! Bernard Briand Chevalier wasn’t the only one for long though, as Kent Farrington (USA) flew around the course on his incredibly fast mare Orafina (For Fashion x Canturo) and took the lead. 

It was an action-packed class to say the least! Just when it seemed the time set by Farrington couldn’t be beaten, Eduardo Pereira De Menezes (BRA) calmly rode into the ring on H5 Chaganus (Chacco-Blue x Carthago). He had his eyes on the prize and expertly rode his stallion over each obstacle and around each turn. The final black and white SX fence had to be ridden on an open gallop and the Brazilian had no fear pushing hard to cross the finish spectacularly one whole second ahead of Farrington. 

However, there were still two to go; Abdel Saïd (EGY) and Harry Charles (GBR) - both known for their speed. The Egyptian could not catch the astonishing leading time, but could the young British rider? He meant business and so did his Chacco-Blue mare, Stardust. He rode each fence with meticulous precision and showed why he has been selected for the 2021 British Olympic team. Over the last fence and one final surge forward. But no! Only 0.29s slower than Eduardo and into second place, followed by Kent Farrington and Orafina in third.