Niels Bruynseels wins the Grand Prix in Basel

Also in the eighth Longines Grand Prix at the CSI Basel no Swiss was able to win. Even though they finished with satisfying results, like Martin Fuchs as 5th, Steve Guerdat as 9th and Paul Estermann as 11th, the winner of the cheque over 100 000 Swiss Francs was once again a rider from a foreign nation – this time the 33-year-old Belgian Niels Bruynseels aboard his mare Gancia de Muze. Bruynseels was rewarded for his brisk ride in the winning round. The father of two sons from Bonheiden was nearly a second faster than the British experienced John Whitaker with Ornellaia and the Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander aboard Lintea Tequila that finished as 2nd and 3rd on the podium. The only Swiss without a fault in the fast final round was Martin Fuchs with Clooney. The Swiss Champion 2016 had a tactical good course, but was too slow the reach the podium. But the 5th place is a good success for the 9th at the Olympic Games. Steve Guerdat and his inexperienced 12-year-old Westphalian Big Red had one mistake at the wall. As last in the arena Paul Estermann failed with Lord Pepsi over the last jump. Without this fault he would have finished as best Swiss rider.

source: csi-basel