Swedish Ladies Claim One-Two in €49,500 STX Finance Prize CSI 5* at Brussels Stephex Masters

By Jumper News on 2 02America/Sao_Paulo September 02America/Sao_Paulo 2018

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and Petronella Andersson (SWE) made sure it was double Swedish on top in Saturday night’s feature class at the Brussels Stephex Masters, the CSI 5* 1.50m over two rounds presented by STX Finance.

Twelve of the best riders from the first round moved on to jump against the clock in round two, this time under the lights. Ten opted to come back, and as third last to go Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Second Chance, a 10-year-old grey Swedish Warmblood mare (Carland x White Clover), really tightened the turns everywhere to shave the time down to an incredible 40.23 seconds.

“I know I have a very fast horse, perhaps the fastest,” Malin smiled after her win. “It felt like it was our day today, we were a bit unlucky here so far – yesterday we had one down with the fastest time but now it went our way. H&M Second Chance is such a fun horse to ride, and she is in really good shape at the moment so it was just to go for it tonight – she really is fantastic.”

Petronella Andersson made sure there was lots to celebrate tonight, not only for the Swedes but also for the hosts as she finished second aboard Stephex Stables’ own Eclatant (Berlin x Heartbreaker), with a time of 41.60 seconds.

As second last to go, Italy and Stephex Stables’ own Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) and Halifax van het Kluizebos (Heartbreaker x Fetiche du Pas) gave the victory a good shot – but today they had to see themselves beaten by the Swedish girls and settle for third place.