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.