The CSI5*-W Madrid Horse Week kicked off on Friday, and it was living legend Michael Whitaker (GBR) on JB's Hot Stuff (Locarno 62 x Cavalier Royale) that won the main class of the day – the 65,000 Euro Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio Trophy.

With 45 horse-and-rider combinations lining up, the 1.55m Table A class was a tough one and it was Whitaker that was the fastest with his time of 52,84 seconds on the 11-year-old British bred mare.

"My horse has had a bit of a break, and I am very happy to have her back competing," Whitaker said after the class about JB's Hot Stuff  that won the five-star Grand Prix of Antwerp this spring. "I think the course today was tough enough – there were not too many clear rounds," he continued. 

Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) on Chacanno (Chacco-Blue x Kannan) had to settle for the runner-up position with their time of 53,68 seconds, while Ludger Beerbaum (GER) on Chiara (Contender x Coronado 3) took the third spot after clocking the time of 56,43. Roger Yves Bost (FRA) on Sydney Une Prince (Baloubet du Rouet x Alfa D'Elle) took the fourth place with a time of 56,44, and the fifth place went to Aldrick Cheronnet (FRA) on Tanael des Bonnes (Watch Me*hoy x Don Pierre) with a time of 57,91. 

Earlier during the day, the 1.45m Madrid Horse Week Trophy went to Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) on Carlotta (Chaccomo x Cento) with a time of 53,09 seconds. Luca Maria Moneta (ITA) on Neptune Brecourt (Cavalor Cumano x Kayack) placed second with a time of 54,04, and Marc Houtzager (NED) on Sterrehof's Bylou (Phin Phin x Nivea) took the third spot with a time of 57,62. Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) on Heartbreaker vd Achterhoe (Bentley van de Heffinck x Catango Z) placed fourth with a time of 57,85 seconds, and Juulia Jyläs (FIN) on Copain Z (Zang x Calvino Z) took the fifth spot with a time of 58,11. 

Text and picture © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen