“My whole family has won here, except me. Frank (Kemperman) said this morning that it would be difficult, but I did it and I am happy now,” said a satisfied Thibault Philippaerts. It was only his third show with the 10-year-old BWP mare (Chatman x Eros Platiere), but they were just too fast fort he others: “Juvente van de Kakebeek is a fast horse and I have tried to turn as short as possible. She is doing really well, so I am glad.” Is this a harbinger for the rest of the weekend? “I don’t know, every day is different.”

Dutch Champion Leopold van Asten was just 0.06 slower with the 10-year-old KWPN mare VDL Groep Elexia (Calvaro F.C. x Alexis Z). The USA’s Chloe Reid completed the top three with the Hannoverian mare Souper Shuttle (Stakkato x La Zarras 2).