It was a good day for the Irish! First Michael Pender took silver and bronze for the 5-year-old horses, then Gerard O'Neill made sure to win the gold for the 6-year-olds. All the medals came on Irish bred horses. All photos (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.
Happy faces on the podium!
Gerard O'Neill and Killossery Kaiden (Lux Z x Cruising) were the only pair pulling off a clear round in the jump-off.
Daniel Delsart and the Diarado x Chacco Blue-mare Diamant Aurora ended 9th after eight faults in the jump-off.
Christian Ahlmann was in the final with two horses: Here with the well jumping Dominator 2000 Z (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I).
Gerben Morsink, a veteran at the World Championships, ended 8th with Rapidash (Chaqui Z x Lancelot).
James Billington rode the impressive Cardento-gelding Farrel VDL to the 6th place.
Maikel van Mierlo has had huge success in Lanaken the last couple of years with Earley, that now can be seen under Quentin Judge. This year van Mierlo was in the final with Follow Up (Andiamo x Winningmood).
Some love for the winner.
Julian de Boer did some great rounds leading him and Fernando V (Zapatero VDL x Larino) to the silver medal. His time in the jump-off was unbeatable, actually more than ten seconds faster than that of O'Neill, but a rail down stopped him from victory.
Full speed, but for faults in the jump-off, lead to the third place for Thierry Goffinet and Kannabis van de Bucxtale (Contact van de Heffinck x Concord).
Willem Greve earned the bronze with the lovely Formidable (Carambole x Calvados) among the 5-year-olds last year, while this year they had to settle for the fourth place.
5000 Euro for the breeder of the winning horse!
The winners!
Then