Text © World of Showjumping
The 1.55m STP Riders Series Grand Prix concluded the CSI4* event at Sentower Park, Belgium, on Sunday. The track set by the Dutch course designer Louis Konickx proved to be really challenging, as only four horse-and-rider combinations from the 49 starters that had qualified cleared the first round and joined the deciding jump-off.
First out in the jump-off was Angelie von Essen (SWE) on the impressive Alcapone des Carmille (Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker). The pair set the standard, stopping the clock on 40.50 seconds – a time immediately beaten by Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) on Malibu de Muze (Nabab de Reve x Tornedo Fcs) who took over the lead in 39.11. However, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Like A Diamond van het Schaeck (Diamant de Semilly x Bamako de Muze) showed that there was still room for improvement. With a time of 38.27, Zanotelli took over the lead and put all the pressure on Sanne Thijssen, who was the last to go in the jump-off. Riding Con Quidam RB (Quinar x Cardino) – who also topped Friday's feature class – Thijssen raced around the track in a time of 37.83 seconds, taking home the win and pushing Zanotelli down to second, Brinkop to third and von Essen to fourth. Gilles Thomas (BEL) and Konak (Nabab de Reve x Cash) took the fifth spot after picking up one time penalty in the first round.
"I just need to say that he is from another planet," Thijssen said about Con Quidam RB. "He wins again and again; he is a once in a lifetime horse. The course was tough, and I felt like my horse had to work for it: It was not easy, but he did a good job. If you look at the atmosphere, it is super and I think the event here is something special," Thijssen continued. "Next week, I go to Valkenswaard and then normally I am going to Calgary – that is really special! And my horse is in great shape, so I think the timing for that is perfect."