Lars Kersten takes the podium in qualifying for the Grand Prix Opglabbeek

Lars Kersten takes the podium in qualifying for the Grand Prix Opglabbeek

In Opglabbeek no less than 27 combinations qualified for the second qualifying place for the 1.45m Grand Prix. Lars Kersten and Gert-Jan Bruggink won the prize for the Netherlands.

It was a strong field of participants in Opglabbeek. The fastest time came in the name of the Irishman, Saemus Hughes Kennedy and Castlefield Hera (Plot Blue). Lars Kersten followed closely in the second half with the KWPN horse, Hallilea (VDL Zirocco Blue). Third place went to Sienna Charles and Valkiry de Zance (Diamant de Semilly).

Just off the podium, Gert-Jan Bruggink took a clear fourth place. Bruggink jumped in the prize with Kasilias dEas Sho Z (Kannan).

Finn Boerekamp is a strong Dutch competitor in the 1.40m

In the international 1.40m parallel class, Finn Boerekamp and 11-year-old Merlin Van ‘t Heike (Epleaser van ‘t Heike) proved to be the strongest Dutch rider. The pair jumped to seventh place. His team-mate Wout-Jan van der Schans followed and Numero Uno’s nine-year-old Jager came in ninth.

The trial advantage in this section was won by Ellen Whitaker with the 10-year-old Righteous (Luidam). On the podium, the British were followed by his colleague Max Routledge and Vanda Mclaren (Tiny Boy). Marie Hecart and Edonna d’Udine (Vigo Cece) took third place.

Amani