José Thiry wins first qualifier Belgian Championship
The BC jumping at Zangersheide had a surprising start. José Thiry (Jalisco W van de Wolvenhoek, Vivaldi du Seigneur) won the first round. He finished clear and faster than Frederic Vernaet (Born to Win AP Z, Bentley vd Heffinck) and Jeroen Appelen (Lunatique de Kwakenbeek, Cicero Z Van Paemel).
The top three came in at 66 seconds, the difference was made after the comma. Nicola (H&M Luna van 't Ruytershof, Levisto Z) and Olivier Philippaerts (H&M Miro, Diamant de Semilly) each had. Rail down in this 1st qualifier round. Their father Ludo did go clear with Mr Idol S (Plot Blue) and is ranked provisionally fifth, just behind Koen Vereecke (Lector vd Bisschop, Bamako de Muze).
European Young Rider champion Thibeau Spits (King van Essene, Calido I) is outgoing vice Belgian champion and is currently in ninth place. Reigning champion Jos Verlooy (Nixon van 't Meulenhof, Denzel van 't Meulenhof) did not clear the third last obstacle and is currently in 17th place.
Gilles Thomas (Luna van het Dennehof, Prince vd Wolfsakker), who is second in the FEI U25 ranking, was good for bronze last year and one of the favourites for this BC. However, he saw his chances diminish on the first day will not likely be the new Belgian champion. Thomas unexpectedly finished with 16 faults. The same result was scored Gregory Wathelet (Berline du Maillet Z, Action Breaker). He is just behind Gilles Thomas in 32nd place.
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