After a fantastic week at the Brussels Stephex Masters, Tiffany Foster could drive home in a brand new Audi Q2 following her win in the Top Series Grand Prix presented by Audi.
 
The Canadian rider has been on top form with the 11-year-old gelding Brighton (Contendro II x Quick Star) throughout the entire week, also taking the victory in Wednesday’s Top Series class counting for the world ranking.
 
Today, there were even more ranking points to collect for Foster in this 1.50m Grand Prix worth 55 231,65 Euro and of course the possibility to take home a new Audi Q2 for the winner.
 
Coming in as last to go in a ten-horse jump-off, Foster blew the competition aside after a strategic round to take the top honours with her time of 37.67 seconds. “I think it was a real advantage today to be able to go last, because there were not so many clear rounds,” Foster said. “I know my horse has a quick jump, he is a fast horse and I knew I did not necessarily would have to take all the risk with the time today. I thought the most important thing was to go clear, so I was able put in one extra stride to the second-last just to make sure – I figured I had gone fast enough at the beginning to take a calculated risk there to the last and slow down a little,” Foster commented on her jump-off.
 
“I am so happy with Brighton, he jumped so good in all three classes here!” smiled Foster. “I wish my owners were here, but they are watching from America – and I know they are also really proud of him! This is the second car Brighton has won us!”

Only four riders out of the ten in the jump-off managed to jump double clears today, and French rider Guillaume Batillat and Denitha (Vingino x Goodwill) finished as runners-up a little over a second behind Foster. Best of the Belgians was Judy Ann Melchior on Ailina 6 (Chico's Boy x Cowondo Z) finishing third, while Lucia Le Jeune Vizini had the last double clear to end fourth on Cabalgaro Z (Calvados Z x Caucalis). Fifth went to home rider Dominique Hendrickx, with one down in the jump-off.
 
It was again jam-packed for the Top Series Grand Prix, with the spectators creating a wonderful atmosphere for horses and riders – and Foster could not praise the organizers enough: “They do a wonderful job here. The team put the full effort into it. Their slogan ‘This is not an event, this is an experience’ is absolutely what it is! It is something all the riders try to put into their calendar, and really look forward to every year,” Foster concluded. 

Source: Press release from Brussels Stephex Masters // Picture © Scoopdyga