The highlight of the CSI3* event in Maastricht on Friday evening was the VDL Groep Prize. A total of 43 horse-and-rider combinations lined up for the challenge set by the Dutch course designer Louis Konickx. The first round of the 1.50m class counted thirteen obstacles and 16 efforts. Thirteen pairs cleared their way into the jump-off over a shortened, eight fence track.

First out in the jump-off was the young talent Wilton Porter (USA) on the 10-year-old stallion Caletto Cabana (Cassini I x Capecanaveral). Taking a brave gallop to the last fence, Porter set the time to beat to 36,50 seconds. Wout-Jan van der Schans (NED) on the 9-year-old gelding D’Angelo (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Sam R) followed, opting for a safe clear round in 40,06 seconds. Third out in the jump-off was Lisa Nooren (NED) on the 11-year-old stallion VDL Groep Sabech d’Ha (Qredo de Paulstra x Talent Platiere), ending with two poles on the floor in 44,78 seconds. Albert Zoer (NED) on the 10-year-old gelding Heechhiem’s Cancun VDM (Balou du Rouet Z x Karandasj) gave it a serious go, but paid the penalty by having the two last fences down in a time of 34,77 seconds.

Frank Schuttert (NED) on the 9-year-old stallion Chianti’s Champion (Champion du Lys) shaved a fraction from Porter’s time, taking over the lead after clocking a time of 36,37 seconds. But then came Julien Epaillard (FRA) on the 13-year-old gelding Cristallo A LM (Casall x Corofino I). Stopping the clocks at 32,61 seconds, the Frenchman set the rest to follow a whole new standard.

Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) on the 9-year-old stallion Ikker (Ogano Sitte x Up to Date) had one fence down in a time of 34,59 seconds, while Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP) on the 13-year-old gelding Cannavaro (Cornet Obolensky x Florestan I) slotted in to the runner-up position with a time of 35,39 seconds. Both Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) on the 9-year-old stallion Crunch 3 (Clarimo x Canturo) and Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) on the 13-year-old mare SFN Zenith (Rash x Fuego du Prelet) had a fence down, as did Eric van der Vleuten (NED) on the 13-year-old gelding Zigali P S (Kigali x Palfrenier). Roelof Bril (NED) on the 12-year-old gelding Arlando (Harley VDL x Animo) rode a brilliant clear in 37,59 seconds, taking over the fifth spot. Last to go Gerco Schröder (NED) on the 9-year-old gelding Glock’s Dobelensky (Cornet Obolensky x Lux) had an early fence down, leaving Epaillard with yet another speedy win, Saro on the runner-up position, Schuttert on third, Porter on fourth and Bril on fifth place. 

Text and picture © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen