Belgian Best in La Baule
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Belgium have won the opening leg of the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI in La Baule, France this afternoon.
Finishing both rounds on a total of just twelve penalties Lucien Somers’ squad took victory over Switzerland, Ireland and the United States of America with two fences in hand. Belgian star Ludo Phillipaerts produced the only double clear of the competition.
Despite holding the top spot at the end of the first round, the British quartet had to settle for seventh place. Nick Skelton and Lisa Hales’ Russel jumped the sole British clear in the first and finished the second with just five penalties. Tim Gredley riding Rowena Gredley’s Omelli clocked up sixteen penalties in the first round and nine in the second. Ben Maher riding Daniel Paul’s Rolette left all the fences standing in the first round but crossed the finish line a fraction outside the time allowed to accrue a sole time penalty. The combination then went on to finish the second round with eight penalties. British anchorman Robert Smith riding his own Ronaldo VI had five penalties in the first round and finished the second with just four.
CSIO5*SL La Baule - Samsung Super League with FEI Series
1st Belgium 12 penalties
=2nd Switzerland 20 penalties
=2nd Ireland 20 penalties
=2nd United States of America 20 penalties
=5th Netherlands 21 penalties
=5th France 21 penalties
7th Great Britain 23 penalties
8th Germany 28 penalties
9th Sweden 32 penalties
