Francisco Josè Mesquita Musa wins the CSI4* opening class

 In Sentower Park, Opglabbeek, 'The Zangersheide International' officially started this afternoon at 2 p.m. For 5 days, many horse enthusiasts will be able to indulge themselves for a unique combination of top sport and breeding.

During this opening day there were 3 international classes on the program, culminating in the 1.40m high opening class of the CSI4* competition. That immediately became a well-filled class, because no fewer than 91 combinations appeared at the start during this class, which also served as a qualifier for the Sires Of The World of Friday evening. The victory went to the Brazilian rider Francisco José Mesquita Musa with the 14-year-old gelding Jivaro Imperio Egipcio (Echo van 't Spieveld x Darco). The duo took the lead early in the class with a clear 2nd phase in 29.63 seconds and didn’t relinquish it.

The Belgian lady rider Charlotte Philippe followed in 2nd place with her 11-year-old mare Godiva S (Andiamo Z x Darco). She also kept it clear twice and managed to set a time of 30.00 seconds. The Dutch rider Pim Mulder was the 3rd to achieve a podium place in this class. He guided the 10-year-old mare Ibylle (Q Breitling LS x For Pleasure) to the finish in 30.88 seconds.

Belgian power

Earlier in the afternoon, 2 classes of the CSI1* competition took place and both were won by a Belgian participant. The 1.25m class was won by Felicien Collin with the 9-year-old mare Illy Girl de Libramont (Coeur de Cachas D.S. x Sunny Boy). In a class against the clock, Colling rushed to the finish in 54.57 seconds, giving him more than half a second ahead of the competition.

The 2nd place went to the French rider Pierre Coiteux Fontaine and this with the 13-year-old mare Argentina de Feyele (Joyau de Bloye x J'T'Adore). He ensured a flawless round in a time of 55.12 seconds. Place 3 went to the Netherlands again thanks to Loewie Joppen and the 10-year-old mare Candy Holiday (Cardento VDL x Animo). They finished in 55.71 seconds.

During the 1.15m high opening class this afternoon it was Jan Vermeiren who showed the strongest performance. He became the winner with the 7-year-old Zangersheide mare Cafeinemaes Z (Corico Z x Chin Chin – B: Cm Invest). He finished in the 2nd phase in a convincing time of 26.72 seconds. But Vermeiren also managed to take the 2nd place here with the also 7-year-old mare Que Sera T (Marius Claudius x Elvis Ter Putte). Also with Que Sera T he managed to ensure a double clear round and he stopped the clock in 29.51 seconds. Finally, the German rider Michael Jung completed the podium in 3rd place. In the saddle of the 7-year-old Zangersheide mare Double Luck (Dominator 2000 Z x Canturo – B: Pieter Schuermans) he crossed the line in 30.82 seconds.