Petronella Andersson & Cassina Z Claim the €63,000 Flanders Sport Grand Prix CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 2023-12-30

Mechelen, Belgium – December 29, 2023 – What a great ride in the €63,000 Flanders Sport Grand Prix CSI 5*-W! The new head course designer Bart Vonk had not made it easy for the riders. But 19 combinations still managed to advance to the jump-off. That means you have to drive fast… so it’s a spectacle!

The participants clearly had their sights set on the Grand Prix. After a quick clear round by Matthew Sampson (GBR), which was immediately improved by Thibeau Spits (BEL), Petronella Andersson (SWE) set a beautiful round with Cassina Z that was never beaten. Afterwards she celebrated her victory with her Stephex colleague, Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) who rode Nector vd Bisschop (Echo van T Spieveld x Darco) towards sixth place after 2 clear rounds.

Petronella: We are a real team. This competition is important for the entire Stephex team and for our owner Stephan Conter. We are here with the entire team, so this feels like a joint victory.

For her victory, Petronella gives extra credit to the 13-year-old Cassina Z (Casado v’T Gelutt Z x Lux). Petronella: She is one of the horses that I have had in the stable for the longest time. I knew she was very fast. But she can become a bit too fast if I really push her. It almost went wrong on the last double, but she really stood up for me there. Cassina is a Belgian horse so I’m sure there were several people in the crowd supporting her. The atmosphere was perfect.

Final Results – €63,000 Flanders Sport Grand Prix CSI 5*-W – 1.55m

1) Petronella Andersson (SWE) & Cassina Z – 0 / 0 – 37.12

2) Thibeau Spits (BEL) & Foncetti v. Heffinck – 0 / 0 – 37.87

3) Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Daniel – 0 / 0 – 38.44

FULL RESULTS

course map

Source: News Release (translated & edited) from Jumping Mechelen