Everything was set for a Belgian family challenge, because two participants in the five-horse jump-off for the Grand Prix in Mechelen, Belgium, were brothers, Thibault and Olivier Philippaerts. But a flying Dutchman then decided the matter in his favour.
Thibault Philippaerts, who was the second rider in the round with Derby de Riverland, had the first clear round and therefore had to be the first to start in the jump-off. His big brother Olivier achieved the second fastest time in the jump-off with H&M Legend of Love, but also made a mistake in the heat of the moment and finished third. As Jeroen Appelen with Moningo - D van't Heyveld had managed a double zero, there would have been at least one Belgian home victory.
But instead, Willem Greve on Highway M TN took the victory to the Dutch neighbouring country. Almost two seconds separated him and Jeroen Appelen.
Of the four German starters, Christian Ahlmann still finished in the money after a fast four-point round on Solid Gold Z in ninth place. Philipp Weishaupt took a little more time with Krokant with the same number of faults and slipped one place out of the ranking. Hansi Drehher even had to accept two faults to the finish with Vestmalle des Cotis, while Daniel Deusser, who had ridden Kiana to victory in the jump-off in the BMW Masters the previous day, had to leave the course early this time with Bingo after two faults. But that's just the way it is in equestrian sport...
