Harrie Smolders & Zinius. ph: scoopdyga.com
The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Zinius (Nabab de Reve x Kannan) took home top honors in the 1.55m Credit Suisse Geneva Classic on Thursday, December 7, 2017, kicking off CHI Geneva CSI5* in winning form.
Smolders was joined by 51 horse and rider combinations on the 13-obstacle-track designed by Switzerland’s Gérard Lachat, Louis Konickx of The Netherlands, Italy’s Marco Cortinovis, and Cédric Longis of France.
Fifteen combinations returned to the jump off, with Smolders producing the winning time of 61.28s. The Dutchman and Zinius have competed on the rated circuit together since September of 2016.
Abdel Said of Egypt and his long-time partner Hope van Scherpen Donder (Quadrillo x Balou du Rouet), the ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, crossed the timers in 61.35s for 2nd place.
Laura Kraut of the United States finished in 3rd with a time of 62.89s aboard the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Deauville (Diamant de Semilly x Lux Z).
The full results can be viewed here.