Sopot, Poland — June 16, 2023 — Friday was a busy day at the Sopot Horse Show CSIO 5* and the most important class, the $634,750 Longines Grand Prix of Sopot CSIO 5*. Sporty and sunny, Sopot is famous not only for its hospitality and the 25th edition of the CSIO 5* International Show Jumping Competition. For several years it has been a fixed point in the calendar of the best riders in the world. Martin Fuchs, ranked 5th in the Longines ranking, and Andre Thieme, who is the current European Champion, presented his form in front of the large audience. In the end, it was Koen Vereecke and the Lector vd Bisschop who came out on top.
The Belgian and the 12-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood stallion (Bamako de Muze x For Pleasure) were supreme by completing the second round in flawless fashion, being timed in 49.04 seconds.
Second place was claimed by Gerrit Nieberg (GER) and Blues d’Aveline (Baloussini x Coriall), almost a full second behind the winners, matching their clean second round in 50.03 seconds.
The top three was completed by a “dark horse” combination as Mariano Ossa (GER) and Elton van het Exelhof Z rode towards bronze honors with a score of 3 penalty-points and final time of 57.96 seconds.
Final Results – PLN $634,750 Longines Grand Prix of Sopot CSIO 5* – 1.60m
1) Koen Vereecke (BEL) & Lector vd Bisschop – 0 / 0 – 49.04
2) Gerrit Nieberg (GER) & Blues d’Aveline – 0 / 0 – 50.03
3) Mariano Ossa (ARG) & Elton van het Exelhof Z – 1 / 3 – 57.96
Source: Press Release (translated & edited) from Sopot Horse Show
Photo: © Sopot Horse Show
Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Belgie
