The first week of Spring MET III 2024 at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain concluded on Sunday with the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by Dammann Reitplatz- u. Sportplatzbau GmbH and it was Great Britain’s Graham Gillespie and Veneno (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) that took the top honours. 

Crossing the finish line in 44.57 seconds in a jump-off between 15 horse-and-rider-combinations, the British rider took the win ahead of Dennis van den Brink (NED) and Aonia Domain (Mylord Carthago x Reve d’Elle) in second in 44.67. 

Karin Ernsting (GER) and La Waux (Lavall 5 x Acord II) placed third after clocking a time of 50.39, while Taisie de Gruchy (GBR) and Corento (Argento x Cardento) finished fourth in 51.00, followed by Stephi de Boer (GER) aboard Obvious And Pure Z (Orlando x Contendro I) in fifth in 52.43.  

«Veneno has been on great form, and I’m delighted with the win,» Gillespie commented. «It was a great week for the whole team as HD Stables has won every Longines Ranking class here.»

In Saturday’s 1.40m Silver Tour Grand Prix, it was Louise Losfeld (BEL) who went off with the win with Athina Louise Z (Arko III x Ogano Sitte). With a time of 43.07 seconds, Losfeld delivered the fastest clear round in the jump-off that counted fourteen horse-and-rider combinations. Gerritt Nieberg (GER) finished second riding Ping Pong van de Lentamel (Emerald x Toulon), 0.49 seconds behind the winner. The third place went to Leonie Peeters (BEL) and La Lou (Sandro Boy x Concerto II) who clocked a time of 44.54 seconds in the jump-off. 

Sunday’s 1.40m Bronze Tour Final went to Ella Dyson (USA) aboard Floristina (Floris TN x Kolibri), who took the win after clocking a time of 41.38 seconds in the jump-off ahead of Tara Gallagher (USA) and Deborah (Diacasall x Chris Grandios) in second in 41.84. William Maxwell (GBR) and Soblensky vh Scheefkasteel Z (Sir Obolensky Z x Diamant de Semilly) placed third in 41.85.

Spring MET III continues next week and runs until March 24th, followed by Spring MET IV in April. 

Click here for full results.