The third and final week of Spring MET I 2026 at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain concluded with an all-Belgian podium in Sunday’s CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix presented by CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A.
 
After a jump-off between eight horse-and-rider combinations, it was Belgium’s Seppe Wouters and the 10-year-old stallion Quito de Mariposa (Comme Il Faut 5 x Air Jordan Z) that took the top honours – crossing the finish line in 43.13 seconds. Wouters’ compatriot Bart Jay Junior Vandecasteele and Vamos de La Pomme d’Or Z (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Ogano Sitte) had to settle for the second place with their time of 50.17. Jérôme Guery and Qartouche de La Pomme d’Or Z (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Ustinov) completed the all-Belgian podium in third after recording the quickest time of the competition – 42.91 seconds – on the expense of a fence down. 
 
With four penalties each, Niall Talbot (IRL) on Charming Dream Z (Carrera VDL x Cagliostro 161) and Anna Power (GBR) aboard McQueen (Cobra x Nissan Caretano Z) followed in fourth and fifth respectively.

“It was only my second time jumping a three-star Grand Prix,” the 18-year-old Wouters said afterwards about the course set by Spain’s very own Santiago Varela. “I wanted to get experience, and just stick to my own plan. I think it was a tough class, with only eight clears. Luckily, my plan worked well.”
 
“Quito is owned by Jérôme Guery and Alexander Oancea, they have given him for me to ride so I can get experience with him – which is very nice. I have had him for about two years now, and we know each other well. I hope I can do some more nice three-star shows with him now.”
 
“It is really nice for the young horses to build up and produce, and to take a few older horses for the ranking classes,” Wouters said about the venue in Oliva Nova. “I think the horses learn a lot there, the arenas are nice and big, you can go to the beach… I like it a lot.”
 
The Spring MET 2026 now takes a short break and resumes on February 10^th for three consecutive weeks of competition, followed by Spring MET III in March and Spring MET IV in April. 
 
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he photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include
photo credit to © Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com.