Knokke Heist, Belgium – Sunday morning’s second class at Knokke Hippique was the  €25,100 Grand Prix CSI 2* presented by Henders & Hazel. Belgium’s Simon Morssinkhof (BEL) on Perigrosso took a popular home win, being the quickest in the deciding jump-off with 19 other horse-and-rider combinations.

The Belgian and the 12-year-old chestnut Hannoverian gelding (Perigeux x Grosso Z) registerd a penalty-free jump-off performance in 34.71 seconds, a mark that  would not be beaten.

Dutch rider Kevin Jochems (NED) on Carado 3 (Cornado NRW x Lupicor) gave it a good go. But when the clocks stopped on 35.14 seconds for the young Dutch talent, he had to settle for the runner-up position.

Morssinkhof’s compatriot Andres Vereecke (BEL) on Kashmira Z (Kashmir Van’T Schuttershof x Libero H) ended third with their time of 35.22 seconds in the jump-off.

Morssinkhof was happy with his win:

“In the first round there were some technical lines, and some really big oxers, they were tough. Also the time allowed was something you had to keep in mind,” he commented on the challenges of the first round. “I decided to give it all I have got, and it turned out good,” he said about his tactics for the jump-off.

“My horse is 12-years-old now, and we have had him since he was six. My sister produced him, and I got to ride him two years ago and we have done the European Championships together also. He has been in good form and I am very happy with him,” Simon said about his winning mount. This year was the fifth time Simon competed at Knokke Hippique, and he was full of praise for the event: “This is the most amazing show. It is a bit of a mix of a holiday and showing, with an amazing atmosphere. I love it here.”

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Knokke Hippique

Photos: © Knokke Hippique / Scoopdyga / Pierre Costabadie