Meise, Belgium – September 02, 2019 – It was an Italian victory in Sunday’s Top Series as Silvia Bazzani and her 9-year-old gelding Charlemagne JT Z took top honours in the €50,450 Top Series Grand Prix CSI 3* presented by Meise during the Brussels Stephex Masters CSI 5*/3*/2* at Stephex Stables in Meise, Belgium.

The Italian and the 9-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Cachas x Carthago Z) were supreme in the 1.50m jump-off challenge, securing the victory with a flawless performance in 37.98 seconds in the decisive phase.

Beating her closest competitor by almost a second, it was a convincing victory from Bazzani’s side despite her horse being relatively inexperienced against the clock at this level. “He is only 9-years-old, and it’s the first time for him in a jump-off in a bigger class. I just wanted to keep him connected, keep him coming forward and make him confident about it. So, it was actually very good!” said the happy winner about her jump-off round.

“I bought him as a 6-year-old from the breeder, who actually has become a good friend of mine and is here today. He’s been coming up in the bigger classes through the last six months and he is a very promising horse. I love him so much!” Bazzani smiled.

Second place in this Grand Prix went to Justine Tebbel (GER) and Light Star 4 (Light On x Lafontaine 4) after two penalty-free performances, the second one in 38.77 seconds during the tiebreaker.

Mohammed Al Kumeiti (UAE) and Taittinger de Altube (Clarimo x Cor de La Bryere) finished third backed by a clean scorecard and a final time of 39.22 seconds.

For full results, please click here here.

Source: Press release from Brussels Stephex Masters

Photo: © Scoopdyga / Pierre Costabadie