Kronenberg, Peelbergen – May 14, 2022 – A packed house at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre witnessed great sport last Saturday, highlighted by the Ashford Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*. Sixty-one combinations started in the feature class of the week, a 1.45m challenge designed by Marco Hesse, featuring 16 efforts and the time allowed of 58 seconds. There was more than just precious FEI points and the lion’s share of the purse at stake, moreover, the class also served as a qualifier for the Van Mossel Super Grand Prix.
Thirteen combinations managed to advance to the jump-off but only 8 of them duplicated their clean performance in the tiebreaker. Despite being the first pair to face the jump-off course, Harry Allen (IRL) and Calculatus ( Cachassini x Contello) delivered the goods, registering the mark of 41.41 seconds, which remained the time to beat for most of the class.
However, the lead changed hands when home rider Leon Thijssen (NED) and For President (Numero Uno x Nimmerdor) produced an impressive fault-free performance just over a half second faster (40.93 seconds) than young Irishman and his partner .
The outcome of the contest hadn’t been decided yet since there was one more duo to go. Giampiero Garofalo (ITA) took advantage of his fate and lowered the mark even furtheraboard the Dutch Warmblood stallion Gaspahr (Berlin x Otangelo), leaving all the poles up and the competition behind after galloping for the gold across the finish line in 39.52 seconds,
Final Results – €26,100 Ashford Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Giampiero Garofalo (ITA) & Gaspahr – 0 / 0 – 39.52
2) Leon Thijssen (NED) & For President – 0 / 0 – 40.93
3) Harry Allen (IRL) & Calculatus – 0 / 0 – 41.41
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission
Photos: © Equestrian Centre de Peelbergen / Sportfot
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News Italia
