Sunday\u2019s CSI2* Grand Prix presented by Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort was set at 1.45m and offered valuable world ranking points, but with no less than 23 of the 69 horse-and-rider combinations in the class moving onto the jump-off it was obvious you needed to be fast to have a chance for the podium.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe course was actually difficult enough, still there were 23 clears \u2013 but there are many good riders here,\u201d Thijssen explained after her win.<\/p>\n
Many of the world\u2019s best riders were among the qualified for the jump-off after producing clear rounds over Franz Madl\u2019s Grand Prix track. The first to really set the standard was world no. 40 Jerome Guery (BEL) on the 10-year-old Kel’Star du Vingt Ponts (Kannan x Landor S), who brought the leading time down to 42.33 seconds after a very efficient round. A few riders later, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) \u2013 another rider well-known for his speed \u2013 slotted into second place with J-Figyelem (Vingino x Animo), 0.39 seconds behind on the clock. However, David Will (GER) and Forest Gump 29 (Forsyth x Feuerwerk) soon pushed Modolo Zanotelli down to third with 0.18 seconds separating him from the lead.<\/p>\n
As third last to go, Pedro Veniss (BRA) \u2013 winner of Saturday\u2019s world ranking class \u2013 and For Felicila (For Pleasure x Espri) did what they do best and blazed around the shortened track to cross the finish line as new leaders in 42.09 seconds.<\/p>\n
It was not to last though, as the only 20-year-old Thijssen was the one to steal the show as the final rider in the ring on the 13-year-old Bulavsco (Verdi TN x Corland). Thijssen took a short-cut to the combination midway and also left a stride out to the following oxer, before getting a perfect turn to the penultimate vertical to shave the time down to 41.72 seconds \u2013 beating the boys occupying the top five.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy horse felt really good today, he jumped amazing \u2013 he had a month\u2019s break and he is back fresh again,\u201d Thijssen said. \u201cBulavsco has been in our stable since he was six, and I rode him for the last two years. He is my best horse at the moment, and I took him here as he really enjoys the sun!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the beginning of the jump-off I was quite slow, I did not see my forward distance to the third fence.\u201d Thijssen explained. \u201cHowever, I did the six strides from the double to the oxer in the middle and nobody else did so I think there I made up some time. The turn back to the penultimate jump was good, he can turn unbelievable \u2013 so it was definitely during the last part of the course that I won it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanne Thijssen made her MET-debut this week, but will surely be back again in Oliva Nova. \u201cIt is my very first time here, but I really like it!\u201d concluded the happy winner.<\/p>\n
The Spring MET I 2019 continues next week, running through to Sunday 27th of January when the first part of the Tour concludes with the CSI3* Grand Prix presented by CHG.<\/p>\n