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<\/p>\nA total of twelve horse-and-rider combinations managed to produce clear rounds over Peter Schumacher and Gregory Bodo\u2019s first-round 1.50m track. \u201cIt was a really nice course today, faults spread out and it did not take too much effort from the horses,\u201d said the happy winner after the Grand Prix. \u201cIt was a really nice class I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baptiste Couperie (FRA) opened the jump-off with a clear round, but was quite conservative with his 45.14 seconds \u2013 eventually ending fifth. Couperie was quickly overtaken by Amy Inglis (GBR) and Wishes (Guidam x Wellington), that stopped the clock on 43.73 seconds. The five following riders all had to see rails fall, although both Harold Boisset (FRA) and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) proved that the leading time could be bettered \u2013 however on the expense of lowering a pole.<\/p>\n
Thierry Rozier (FRA), one of four French riders in the jump-off, took a very short turn to the third vertical of the course and came almost at a standstill with Venezia d\u2019Ecaussinnes (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Lys de Darmen). However, Rozier managed to not disturb his wonderful mare \u2013 making it possible to clear the fence. From there on, Rozier gave full gas \u2013 stopping the timers at 40.68 seconds to take over the lead.<\/p>\n
Next in the ring was Jean-Christophe de Grande and the 10-year-old gelding Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z (Berlin x Darco). With his huge stride, Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z covered a lot of ground effortlessly and when landing after the combination halfway through the course the two got some proper support from the crowds \u2013 and answered by putting up the speed. Crossing the finish line, it was a happy De Grande that had taken over the lead with his 40.07 seconds.<\/p>\n
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Ben Maher (GBR), a team gold medallist from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, followed effortlessly cruising around on the 9-year-old gelding F One USA (Toulon x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve). The British rider came close, but was just shy of De Grande\u2019s time in 40.28 seconds \u2013 slotting into the runner-up spot.<\/p>\n
Two Italians were the only ones left to threaten De Grande, but it was not to be for neither Albert Zorzi nor Roberto Previtali. While Zorzi got in trouble at the third fence of the jump-off, Previtali went for a steady clear as last to go \u2013 slotting in to 6th place and leaving the victory with Belgium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had my horse Belano since he was six years old,\u201d De Grande explained after his victory. \u201cI have taken my time with him, and every year he has been getting better. When he was seven, he won the Belgian Championships in his age category. Last year, he won the three-star Grand Prix in Moorsele and was also placed several times here in Oliva in the Grand Prix classes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUp until today, I have had a bit of bad luck in the Grand Prix classes here,\u201d De Grande said. \u201cBelano was so good in the first round, so I said to myself in the jump-off that I really had to try and he gave everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBelano has a really big stride, so on the open stretches I have an advantage,\u201d De Grande said about his winning jump-off. \u201cI also took a lot of risk to the \u2018Oxer\u2019-jump, at no. 15, and I think that made the difference today. To win here ahead of Ben Maher and all the good riders is a big achievement for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spring MET now takes a short break, before the Tour resumes with its third part on March 12th running through to March 31st.<\/p>\n