Edited press release from Tops International Arena

The opening event of the season at Tops International Arena was received with great enthusiasm by the riders and it offered top-class sport to the viewers at home. The highlight of the first Spring Event, the CSI4* Grand Prix, was held on Sunday afternoon.

It was a wonderful conclusion to a great weekend. In the first round, 11 combinations managed to qualify for the jump-off. Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger was the first to set a fast time with 12-year-old mare AK's Courage (Chepetto C x Lennon 5). The next four combinations, Kevin Jochems on Turbo Z (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Renville), Harrie Smolders on Bingo du Parc (Mylord Carthago*HN x Diamant de Semilly), Cian O'Connor on Kilkenny (Cardento x Guidam) and Gilles Thomas on Konak (Nabab de Reve x Cash), could not improve that time. It was Ben Maher who rode a superb round with the KWPN mare Ginger Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour) and crossed the finish line 0.08 seconds faster, thereby taking over the lead. The last rider, Dutchman Marc Houtzager, made a very serious bid for victory. He was faster, 39.85, but at the cost of a fault on the very last obstacle. Maikel van der Vleuten finished third with Beauville Z (Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines). A great result considering it was Beauville's first competition after a period of rest.

Maher was happy with his victory. "There was quite a big and rather tricky course with difficult distances. I often had to make an extra stride. Ginger Blue is very careful. She gave me a very good feeling in the first round and that gave me confidence for the jump-off. I did what I could and Ginger Blue is by nature a very fast horse. Everything went as it should. This is a nice boost for the coming season."

Belgian Wilm Vermeir became the winner of the 4* Table A direct on time with the nine-year-old KWPN mare Hotshot (Carembar de Muze x Calido I). He thereby beat the 2017 European Champion, the Swede Peder Fredricson who had saddled Thelma Hastak (Heartbeat x Comes van de Heffinck) for this competition. Third place was for Dutchman Kevin Johcems with Egwel (Singapore x Quasimodo Z).