Willem Greve Fast & Furious on Highway M TN to Win €63,000 Sport Vlaanderen Grand Prix CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 30 30America/Sao_Paulo December 30America/Sao_Paulo 2022

Mechelen, Belgium – December 29, 2022 – A ‘Thrilller night’ on Thursday at the Christmas Arena. Because the 39 participants in the €63,000 Sport Vlaanderen Grand Prix CSI 5*-W were given a challenging course on their plate. Only 5 of them could stay clear. Time for an exciting jump-off:

Thibault Philippaerts(BEL), showed himself more than worthy of the title of “Talent of the Year”. But Derby de Riverland (Kannan x L’arc de Triomphe) had one down in the jump-off: 4 points.

Jeroen Appelen (BEL) and Moningo – D van’t Heyveld (Thunder of the Zuuthoeve x Brown Boy) were luckier. With a clever, fast and clear round in 37.38 seconds, they rushed to the top position. But not for long. Because with a truly spectacular ride they were immediately beaten by the Dutch Willem Greve (NED)and Highway M TN (Eldorado v. Zeshoek x Chellano Z) with the definite mark in 35.36 seconds

For a moment, it seemed that Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) would give him the same treat, but he got with H&M Legend of Love (Landzauber x Corgraf) a very unfortunate mistake on the very last jump and left the ring deeply dissappointed. It was only when the Swiss Edouard Schmitz with Gamin of’t Naastveldhof (Tannenhof’s Chacco Chacco x Toulon) took the first bar of the double jump, there was no one left standing between Willem Greve and his victory.

Winner’s Circle – Willem Greve (NED)

“It was a serious course,” sighs a happy Willem Greve. “Only halfway the jump-off it was my turn. That means you always have to take risks. Luckily that turned out really well for me! To win in the Nekkerhal is really amazing.. so amazing. The audience, the atmosphere, … unbelievable. The Belgians may be a bit louder for a compatriot but you just feel in their enthousiasm how they love our sport. The audience is filled with enthousiast, passionate jumping fanatics, making winning at Jumping Mechelen extra special.”

Meanwhile, the tension for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping is rising today. Willem Greve will also be competing the World Cup. “I’m feeling good and I hope I can put off a good performance in the World Cup.”

Final Results – €63,000 Sport Vlaanderen Grand Prix CSI 5*-W

1) Willem Greve (NED) & Highway M TN – 0 / 0 – 35.36

2) Jeroen Appelen (BEL) & Moningo – D van’t Heyveld – 0 / 0 – 37.38

3) Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) & H&M Legend Of Love – 0 / 4 – 35.50

FULL RESULTS

Source: Press Release (edited) from Jumping Mechelen