Friday, August 29, offered an evening of top-class sport and excitement at the Brussels Stephex Masters with the CSIO5* 1.50m Presented by Stephex Horsetrucks. The competition brought together some of the world’s finest riders, treating the Belgian crowd to moments of brilliance, intensity, and celebration from both international stars and home favorites.

The class opened with Alejandro Mills, who collected both time faults and rails down, followed by Canada’s Kyle Timm (9 penalties) and Italy’s Riccardo Pisani (4). Khaled Almobty came close to a clear round but was caught out by a single time fault. The atmosphere ignited when Jessica Springsteen, riding Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, delivered the first clear in 74.97 seconds. She was soon joined by a series of world-class performances: Scott Brash, Kendra Claricia Brinkop, Martin Fuchs, Steve Guerdat, Cian O’Connor, Nina Mallevaey, and local hero Grégory Wathelet. The Belgian public held its breath for Jos Verlooy, but the scoreboard revealed a single time penalty, triggering both cheers and sighs of disappointment.

The Belgian contingent then rose to the occasion. Daniel Deusser, representing Stephex Stables, produced a superb clear with Pepita van ’t Meulenhof BR, followed by Émilie Conter, who delighted the home crowd with her faultless ride, and Gilles Thomas. In total, ten combinations advanced to the jump-off.

The jump-off was a showcase of speed and precision. Scott Brash, first to go, left a rail on the floor (4 faults). Kendra Claricia Brinkop set the early standard with the first clear in 37.60 seconds aboard Naf Naf DMC. Martin Fuchs also jumped clear but was slower, slotting into provisional second. Then came Steve Guerdat, who lit up Brussels with a dazzling clear aboard Lancelotta in 36.33 seconds, seizing the lead.

The tension mounted as Daniel Deusser produced another clear in 37.10 seconds. But it was Émilie Conter, riding Portobella van de Fruitkorf, who brought the crowd to its feet with a sensational round, finishing just a few hundredths behind Guerdat to take second place. Cian O’Connor, quick and consistent with Canbella Blue PS, delivered a strong clear in 36.92 seconds to claim third.

At the end of a thrilling class, it was Steve Guerdat and Lancelotta who claimed victory in Brussels, showcasing their trademark composure and brilliance. Behind him, Émilie Conter secured a superb runner-up finish on home soil, while Cian O’Connor completed a stellar podium.

Final Podium — CSIO5* 1.50m presented by Stephex Horsetrucks
🥇 Steve Guerdat(SUI) & Lancelotta — 36.33
🥈 Émilie Conter (BEL) & Portobella van de Fruitkorf — 36.65
🥉 Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Canbella Blue PS — 36.92