News
Koen Vereecke Triumphs in Spectacular BMW Masters
The BMW Masters at Jumping Mechelen had the audience on the edge of their seats. With progressively higher jumps and intense jump-offs, the excitement in each round continued to build. The unique format, where riders choose a jump to raise, ultimately led to a final round where all obstacles were set at maximum height.
The competition featured multiple jump-offs, pushing riders to their limits to secure a place in the ultimate round. After the first and second jump-offs, several top contenders, including Lorenzo De Luca and Daniel Deusser, had to bow out. In the third jump-off, disappointment struck for Gilles Thomas, who narrowly missed a spot in the final. Ultimately, four riders advanced to the decisive jump-off: Hans-Dieter Dreher, Jérôme Guery, Nicola Philippaerts, and Koen Vereecke.
Strategic Decision Secures Victory for Vereecke
In the final jump-off against the clock, the KBC double combination proved to be a significant challenge. Hans-Dieter Dreher, Jérôme Guery, and Nicola Philippaerts all incurred faults at this obstacle. Koen Vereecke, the last to go with his horse Merryweather Vt Leeuwerikenhof, opted for a strategic and controlled ride. His flawless performance earned him the victory.
With this strong round, Koen Vereecke secured the win in the BMW Masters. Jérôme Guery finished second, followed by Nicola Philippaerts in third. Koen Vereecke commented: “I chose Merryweather because I thought this was a calm start to the competition for her: a shorter course with only six jumps. Initially, I thought starting tenth would be a disadvantage, as I’d have to jump all obstacles at the maximum height if things went well. But in the end, it turned out to be an advantage. I could see the others making mistakes in the jump-off, which allowed me to play it safe in my final round. Merryweather is actually my best friend’s horse. His daughter usually rides her, but since she’s currently pregnant, I’ve taken over the reins.”
As the winner of the BMW Masters, Koen drove home in a brand-new BMW 135i. “Like most riders, I love beautiful cars. What an amazing prize!”
