Wilm Vermeir secures a home win in first CSI5* 1.50m class

KNOKKE-HEIST – Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir scored one for the home team today. In the Grand Prix-
qualification over 1.50m – presented by Artemide – the Flemish rider improved the time to beat set
by compatriot Dominique Hendrickx in the ranking class. Reigning European Champion Martin Fuchs
prevented a full Belgian top three. The Swiss rider finished in between Vermeir and Hendrickx.
With the sun gracing the venue of Knokke Hippique, the feature class of the day had an extra sheen
to it with 49 rider-and-horse combinations competing in the five-star ranking class. Accepting the
challenge set by one of the best course builders in the world, Uliano Vezzani (ITA).
Coming in at number four Dominique Hendrickx was on top of his game with Vintadge de La Roque in
the class jumped against the clock. The bay gelding by Kannan cleared the course with a finish time of
61.65 seconds. A fair few riders tried to get near Hendrickx’s time but to no avail until Wilm Vermeir
entered the Zoute Plage.
Vermeir and twelve-year-old Joyride S (by Toulon) treated those lucky enough to watch on from the
grandstand to a winning performance with one-and-a-half seconds to spare on the clock. “It is
fantastic to close my first day here with a win like this. I knew after walking the course that Joyride
would be able to do well in this class. He is able to keep a good canter and still remain super careful
which definitely helped us secure the win.”
The Belgian rider is especially pleased since he was not sure he would be able to attend Knokke
Hippique. “The entries are linked to the world ranking list. And although I am currently placed 87 th ,
with so many top-ranked riders in the game my place at this show was not a given. I am very grateful
to Stephan Conter that I can ride here. The whole showground looks amazing. It is really something
else”, the winner concludes.
However, Vermeir was not sure of a victory yet after his ride. Two combinations on Martin Fuchs
entered the arena with fourteen-year-old Tam Tam du Valon (by Ogrion des Champs). Currently
ranked as the number three of the world the Swiss rider gave an equally fine performance but
missed out on the win by 0,39 seconds. Gudrun Patteet (BEL) and Sea Coast Pebbles Z (by Picasso)
slotted into fourth place. With former Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Maddox
rounding-up the top five.
Full results from Thursday’s CSI5* 1.50m class presented by Artemide can be found via this link https://online.equipe.com/nl/class_sections/581851.
Press release Knokke Hippique | Photo credits Sportfot