Meise, Belgium – August 31, 2019 – Jemma Kirk (GBR) and Quelisto won Saturday’s €25,000 Super Cup Grand Prix CSI 2* presented by Artemide during the Brussels Stephex Masters CSI 5*/3*/2* at Stephex Stables in Meise, Belgium.

A total of 42 horse-and-rider combinations lined up for the 1.45m challenge, and what a challenge it was! Before the last pair had finished, there was only one clear round from Jemma Kirk (GBR) and Quelisto. As last to go Jan Vermeiren (BEL) and the 8-year-old stallion Le Blue Diamond V’T Ruytershof (Plot Blue x Diamant de Semilly) also managed to clear the track, securing a jump-off.

With both Jemma and Jan having a fence down in the jump-off, it turned out to be Jemma’s lucky day as she was the quickest of the two – taking home the win. The Brit and the 15-year-old chestnut Selle Français gelding (J’Ai l’Espoir d’Elle x Starter) stopped the jump-off timers in 41.61 seconds compared to Jan Vermeiren (BEL) and Le Blue Diamond V’T Ruytershof’s final time of 41.77 seconds.

“It was more difficult to wait,” Jemma laughed afterwards, commenting on the time she had to spend before knowing if there would be a jump-off or not. “My horse is always fast, he jumped so good he deserved this win,” she continued.

Speaking about her special horse, and today’s challenging course, Jemma said: “He is a star, he is my king. I have him now for nine years, and I know him really well. He is just an amazing horse! I am so happy to win here. It was a tough course for a two-star Grand Prix, but we are at the Stephex Masters – so it has to be.”

Jamie Wingrave (HUN) on the 11-year-old gelding Indiana Jones Max (Toulon x Quintus) took the third spot after only picking up a time fault in the first round. Anne Sophie Hemeryck Godart (FRA) on the 10-year-old gelding Etoile By MDL (Warrant x Argentinus) placed fourth and the fifth spot went to Wesley Newlands (CAN) on the 9-year-old stallion Everton de Villee (Arko III x Darco).

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Brussels Stephex Masters

Photo: © Scoopdyga / Pierre Costabadie