Kronenberg, The Netherlands – May 13, 2023 – The dream of winning an FEI-level grand prix came true for Vera Benchimol (FRA) and it was a horse with a peculiar name that made it come true, Dream Star One! The dynamic duo triumphed in the €26,950 Van Mossel Automotive Groep Grand Prix CSI 2* last Saturday at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre.
Only three combinations out of the 65 participants cleared all the 1.45m obstacles and completed the first round course within the time allowed, thus advancing to the tiebreaker. In the end, it was the French rider and the 2013 bay Selle Français gelding (Kannan x Quick Star) who prevailed, registering their second penalty-free performance in 42.47 seconds.
Wilma Hellström (SWE) and Sam van de Helle (Stakkato x Carthago) were the only other combination to register a clean scorecard, completing their jump-off round in 43.94 seconds.
Ebba Danielsson (SWE) and Nikita Vd Vosberg (Echo Van’T Spieveld x Clinton) recorded the fastest time amongst the three finalists, but their time of 40.92 seconds came at the expense of two poles down for a score of 8 penalty-points in the tiebreaker.
Final Results – €26,950 Van Mossel Automotive Groep Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Vera Benchimol (FRA) & Dream Star One – 0 / 0 – 42.47
2) Wilma Hellström (SWE) & Sam van de Helle – 0 / 0 – 43.94
3) Ebba Danielsson (SWE) & Nikita Vd Vosberg – 0 / 08– 40.92
Source: Peelbergen Equestrian Centre
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.
Photos: © Peelbergen Equestrian Centre
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News France
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