Text © World of Showjumping

Steve Guerdat (SUI) and the 12-year-old mare Lancelotta (Falkenhof’s Lancer x Orlando) won Saturday night’s CSI5*-W 1.50m BMW Masters at the 2025-edition of Jumping Mechelen (BEL).

“It was a different type of class than what we usually ride,” Guerdat said in a press release from Jumping Mechelen. “We’re not that used to this format. Technically it wasn’t extremely difficult, but the jump-off became very competitive. Starting early in the final round, it wasn’t easy to judge how fast to go. Lancelotta is fantastic in a jump-off. She keeps fighting and is always very sharp in those situations, which makes things easier. I did have some doubts beforehand about how much power she would have over several rounds, as this was her first show since the Brussels Stephex Masters after a longer break. But she was amazing all evening. Each round gave me more confidence, especially in the final. She really fought for me, and I enjoyed every moment.”

“The idea was to use this class as a build-up, not necessarily to win it,” Guerdat continued. “But after two or three rounds, I could feel her getting better and better. Then I thought, why not try tonight? In the end, of course, I’m very happy with the result. The crowd and the atmosphere here are always fantastic. I love coming back to Mechelen. I missed this show for almost ten years, so it’s really special to be here again. With 2026 just around the corner, I’m simply thankful. As long as my family stays healthy and we can have a good sporting year without too many interruptions, I’ll be very happy.”

The host’s very own Nicola Philippaerts and Cornethagos PS (Corent du Lys x Conthargos) took the runner-up spot behind Guerdat, followed by Gilles Thomas (BEL) with Qiara de Kalvarie (Sea Coast Don’t Touch Tiji Hero x Zandor Z) in third, Willem Greve (NED) aboard Grandorado TN N.O.P. (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Carolus II) in fourth and Daniel Deusser (GER) aboard Gangster v/h Noddevelt (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Careful) in fifth.

Earlier during the day, Niels Bruynseels (BEL) and Chacco’s Lando OL (Chacco-Blue x Lando) won the CSI5*-W 1.45m Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World, presented by Zangersheide. With a time of 39.34 in a jump-off of nine, they took the win ahead of Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) and Comme le Coeur (Comme Il Faut x Heartbreaker) in second in 39.37, while Vince Jarmy (HUN) aboard JB Koronaor (Keve x Corleone) completed the podium in third when crossing the finish line in 41.69.