Gregory Wathelet rides to victory at the CSIO5* Calgary Masters.

The CSIO5* Calgary Masters in Canada are in full swing and there was an excellent result yesterday for birthday boy Gregory Wathelet.
The Belgian rider celebrated his 35th birthday in style by winning the CANA Cup over 1.60m with Algorythem, a competition that put 126.000 dollars in prize money up for grabs. The other trial taking place yesterday meanwhile was won by the home rider Eric Lamaze with Fine Lasy 5.
Some of the best riders in the world are in Canada for the Calgary Masters, including the world no. 1 in the FEI rankings Scott Brash, determined to continue his assault on the Rolex Grand Slam after winning the previous stage at the CHIO Aachen.
It’s worth reminding that no rider has ever won two legs in a row at this tournament, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the world. Brash and his extraordinary mount Hello Sanctos have however set their sights on making history this season, turning down the call from the British national side at the European Championships to prepare for this Sunday’s main event. Before that gets underway however, show-jumping fans will be treated to the BMO Nation’s Cup worth 300.000 dollars in prize money tomorrow.
Focusing back to yesterday and Wathelet’s victory, in second place we find Frenchman Roger Yves Bost with Nippon d’Elle and in third place another Frenchman Kevin Staut with Qurack de Falaise HDC. The real surprise from the competition though was Algorythem, a Dutch horse that until recently was paired with Gregory’s partner and doesn’t have much top-level experience.
In fact, Algorythem only started to compete at these levels 4 or 5 months ago before being handed over to Gregory who made his debut with the horse at the Valkenswaard GP at the Longines Global Champions Tour. In what was perhaps a sign of things to come,  Algorythem impressed and picked up a 5th place finish in the GP.
According to the Belgian rider, Algorythem has great prospects for the future even if it’s still a bit too early to have a final say. Nonetheless, the mount is making huge steps forward and has showed it can make the difference out on courses that require an extra bit of speed to make the cut.
Here are the final results from that competition: $126.000 CANA Cup 1.60m:
1. $41,580 ALGORHYTHEM Dutch Warmblood / G / 10 Tampa x Calvados
GREGORY WATHELET (BEL) COUTHUIM Louis Simmons: 0/0/43.70
2. $25,200 NIPPON D ELLE Selle Francais / S / 14 Scherif D Elle x Narcos II
ROGER-YVES BOST (FRA) BARBIZON Scea Haras D Elle et Equiblue: 0/0/44.90
3. $18,900 QURACK DE FALASIE HDC Selle Francais / G / 11 Jarnac x Fetiche du Pas
KEVIN STAUT (FRA) LE CHESNAY Armand Pette: 0/0/47.42
4. $12,600 RISSOA DAG BOIS MARGOT Selle Francais / S / 10 Quincy x Artichaud
PEDRO VENISS (BRA) LASNE SAS Haras Bois Margot: 0/0/48.73
5. $7,560 HELLO SANCTOS Warmblood / G / 13 Quasimodo x Nabe de Reve
SCOTT BRASH (GBR) GREAT BRITAIN Lord and Lady Harris & Lady P Kirkham: 0/0/52.70
6. $5,670 SIMON Dutch Warmblood / G / 16 Mr Blue x Polydox
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA) CAZENOVIA, NY Abigail Wexner: 0/0/52.91
7. $3,780 DYLANO Warmblood / G / 14 Cento Lano x Athlet Z
PIETER DEVOS (BEL) BEKKEVOORT Devos Stables: 0/4/43.30
8. $3,150 BABALOU AMOR Brazilian Warmblood / M / 11 Baloubet du Rouet x Ritual Imen
FELIPE AMARAL (BRA) CENTRO OSACO SP Marcello Ciavaglia: 0/4/43.48
9. $2,520 UCEKO Dutch Warmblood / G / 14 Celano x Koriander
KENT FARRINGTON (USA) WELLINGTON, FL RCG Farm: 0/4/43.93
10. $2,520 CALENO 3 Warmblood / G / 11 Calido Ass x Lancer II
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA) NEW YORK, NY Gotham Enterprizes, LLC: 0/4/46.45
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