Standing ovation for Belgian Larissa Pauluis after winning the Grand Prix Special
The standing ovation during the lap of honor was for the Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis today. Together with her First-Step Valentin (by Vitalis) she won the CDI 3* Grand Prix Special with a score of 71.489%.
“I was really happy with First-Step Valentin today! He is still young and he is a stallion, so sometimes it’s hard for him to stay focused in the ring. But today he did the job and we made no big mistakes. I bought him when he was 2,5-years-old and trained him to the Grand-Prix, so that’s quite special.”
First international win
“It’s the first time for First-Step Valentin that he wins an international competition and it’s extra special that it happened here today, at CDI Lier. For me this competition is an amazing place to be, everything is just perfect: the organization, the stables, the arena. I really like riding here.”
The second place was for the Swedish Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson with Bergsjoholms Valbonne (by Blue Horse Zack) with a result of 71.340%. Dutch rider Gerdine Maree and her Holiday (by Dream Boy) won the third prize with 69.723%.
Spanish dance moves
In the CDI 3* Grand Prix Freestyle the Portuguese Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo was the winner, after riding a spectaculair freestyle at uplifting Spanish music. The judges placed him at the top of the rankings with his stunning Spanish gelding Euclides Mor, with a solid score of 75.430%. The French Camille Judet Cheret became second with her lovely Scoop Du Bois Luric. She scored 73.000%. The third place was for the Hungarian Benedek Pachl and Donna Friderika. Their performance was rewarded with a score of 72.415%.
Photo Larissa Pauluis: Digishots
