Johnny Pals did an outstanding clear round with Urjul van Generhese (Bon Ami x Micky van de Casterhoeve) in Saturday’s derby in Lummen. It was a difficult 1.60 m derby track that eight out of twelve riders finished. Twice the riders jumped out of the arena and twice they went through water, and the course included some proper eventing fences.

Also William Whitaker with Glenavadra Brilliant (Brilliant Lad x Powerswood Purple) cleared the first round and joined Pals in the jump-off. Pals was first to go and delivered another clear while Whitaker had a very early fault and then decided to retire. Third place went to Jeroen Appelen with Filesto van de Herkant (Oklund x Darco) that ended the first round with eight faults and Shane Breen took the fourth place after having 12 faults with Calido Boy (Calido Ass x Alcatraz).

"My horse has really good results up until 1.50 classes. He is a very fast horse and is actually my speed horse," Pals says on the press conference. On the question on how it is to ride a derby he answered: "I love it! With the right horse it is a lot of fun."