It was not meant to be with the German double victory at the World Cup stage in Mechelen. But it was still exciting. And how. Only five pairs jumped clear into the jump-off, over a tricky course with measurements up to 1.65m. Three Belgians and two Germans were in the running, Hans-Dieter Dreher with the Holsteiner Cous Cous (by Cachas) and Daniel Deusser with his "Clear Round Machine" Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z (by Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve).
Hans-Dieter Dreher was the first to return to the course. And he had to make a good start. He did just that with his grey stallion. The two galloped over the finish line after only 35.19 seconds. And then it was time for Hansi to tremble as he watched the rides of his pursuers on the screen in the warm-up arena. Pieter Devos and Momm's Toupie de la Roque (by Kanann) did not beat Hansi's time. Breathe a sigh of relief. Gilles Thomas with the Holstein mare Calleryama (by Casall) was also no threat to the rider from Baden. The young Belgian got a "crosswind" at the last jump and had to start again.
And then Daniel Deusser and his four-legged guarantee for zero rounds, Tobago, rode into the arena. As always, they also gave everything, left the poles up and were a touch slower at the finish, after exactly 35.39 seconds.
And then the victory for Hansi went down the drain in the last metres after all. The Belgian Wilm Vermeir and the gelding IQ van het Steentje (by Toulon) galloped through the course like a fire brigade, cheered on by the screaming home crowd, and made the clock stop after only 34.45 seconds. That was the victory for Vermeir. Hans-Dieter Dreher took it sportingly and was happy about second place in the World Cup.
Daniel Deusser and Tobago Z completed the podium in third place. Deusser has now moved up to second place in the World Cup ranking behind Henrik von Eckermann and ahead of Kevin Staut and has thus almost secured his ticket for the Final in Omaha.
Fourth place in Mechelen went to Pieter Devos ahead of Gilles Thomas.
