Text © World of Showjumping

Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and Caracho (Cassilano x Quick Star) won Saturday's CSIO5* 1.50m presented by Audi at the 2023-edition of Brussels Stephex Masters. 

Eleven out of the 44 pairs at start cleared their way through to the jump-off, where Guerdat and Caracho were the quickest – taking the win with a time of 35.23 ahead of Harry Charles (GBR) and Aralyn Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ludwig AS) in second in 35.62. Max Wachman (IRL) and Quintini (Quintender 2 x Cassini II) placed third when the clock stopped on 35.66 for the young Irish talent, while Pieter Devos (BEL) and Jarina J (Cicero Z x Harley) finished fourth in 35.91 and Ben Maher (GBR) fifth in 36.12 aboard Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour).

"I am really happy with my performance today," Guerdat said in a press release from Brussels Stephex Masters. "It’s a nice show, and I just won a great prize, so I am a happy man. Tomorrow is a big day. I am looking forward to the Grand Prix. I am riding Double Jeu D’Honvault. It is his first 5* Grand Prix, so maybe we are not the favorites, but we had a good run at this show, and I’ll try my best for sure."

Earlier in the day, Tom Wachman (IRL) and Cathalina S (Catoki x Sandro | DSP) won the CSIO5* 1.45m presented by Roose ahead of Harrie Smolders (NED) and Escape Z (Emerald x Heartbreaker) in second, Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Picobello van'T Roosakker (Kassander van'T Roosakker x Canabis Z) in third, Sienna Charles (GBR) and Chawton (Typhoon S x Caletto II) in fourth and Gilles Thomas (BEL) and Puskas de Kalvarie (Sea Coast Don't Touch Tiji Hero x For Pleasure) in fifth.