Gilles Thomas wins Youngster Tour Final, Rik Nauta shines in CSI1* Grand Prix of Brussels.
A total of 19 combinations managed to qualify for the CSI1* Grand Prix in Brussels today. Eleven duos worked on the rematch, in the end Rik Nauta placed the icing on the cake by already having two shine in Brussels. Nauta raced to Grand Prix victory with 16-year-old Limestone grey. In the final of the 1.45m Youngster Tour, Gilles Thomas defended the competition behind him.
In the saddle of Lorenzo De Luca’s former trump card, Nauta was just a few seconds ahead of Tatiana Troiani, with the seven-year-old BWP gelding, Palmiro de Muze (Denzel v’t Meulenhof) under the saddle. Andreas Theurer completed the top three with Kannan son, Kandido.
Just outside the podium, Ines Van Dijck with Caretina (Caretino 2) ended up in fourth place ahead of Nikita van der Meerschen with the SF gelding, Festif des Biches (Kannan).
Lali Gatellier with Jagermeister (Cascarillo), Philippe Vanderhasselt with Pikachu Vitseroel (Presley Boy) and Gilles Nuytens with Primo DV (Vigo d’Arsouilles) also placed in the top ten in a derived sixth, seventh and ninth place.
Gilles Thomas and Elfra van Beek Z win Youngster Tour final
In the 1.45m Youngster Tour final there appeared to be no size for Gilles Thomas with Elfra Van Beek Z (El Salvador). The duo was the only one to finish clear in less than 34 seconds. Edward Levy followed on the podium with Igins du Seigneur (Inshallah de Muze) ahead of Carlos Hank Guerrerio and the 8-year-old Zangersheide stallion, H5 Ganesh Hero Z (Gemini).
The duo was formed by Petronella Andersson with the daughter of I Am Moerhoeve’s Star, Odina Van Klaputsche. Nicola Philippaerts completed the top five of this final with Pandora van de Kruishoeve (Cidane).