It was again a class against the clock, with obstacles set at 1.40m, as during the two qualifiers. Just under 90 combinations appeared at the start and from the outset the competition was fierce, with some spectacular rides that kept the tension high until the last moment. Victory was well-earned by Ellen Zwijnenberg. The Dutch rider left no doubt, riding the KWPN mare N-Special de Fony-Bo (I'm Special de Muze x Ahorn - Breeder: Koos Van Den Boogaard) to a phenomenal finish. Zwijnenberg and N-Special de Fony-Bo crossed the finish line in a fantastic time of 58.02 seconds, putting them just over two full seconds ahead of the competition.

The other top-3 placings were both taken by Belgian riders, with Limburger Olivier Philippaerts in2nd place. He was riding the Holsteiner gelding Cornet King JS (Cornet Obolensky x Colman - Breeder: Jesper Meyenburg) and he did not make any mistakes either. Philippaerts also had an excellent shot at victory, but with a finishing time of 60.25 seconds, missed the winning mark.

Only a fraction of a second behind was compatriot Steven Vermeir, who jumped to 60.33 seconds with the Zangersheide mare Crazy Music Royal Z (Clarimo ASK x Vigo d'Arsouilles - Breeder: Kristof Wellekens). This secured him third place in this exciting classification.

Britain's Leo Lamb and the AES mare Nalani (Starsky x Ultra T - Breeder: Mark Evans) secured 4th place with a clear and fast round in 60.52 seconds. Shortly afterwards followed German rider Björn Behrend, who put down a strong ride with the Holsteiner gelding Macgyver 5 (Million Dollar x Colman - breeder: Manfred Nissen) and stopped the clock at 60.79 seconds, good for place five in the final standings.

Photo: ©Zangersheide/Sportfot