Belgium's Gregory Wathelet Wins Los Angeles CSI5* World Cup Welcome

Belgium's Gregory Wathelet Wins Los Angeles CSI5* World Cup Welcome 1.50m

Belgium's Gregory Wathelet won the Los Angeles $100,000 CSI5* World Cup Welcome competition on Argentina de la Marchette Thursday night.

Gregory and the 13-year-old mare were the first of 57 combinations to start the class and posted a double clear to win the jump off in 36.59 secs.

This was the pair's fourth win in the USA this year as well as posting two victories in Europe.

Nina Mallevaey of France, the second highest ranked woman in the world at No. 17, was runner-up on Dynastie de Beaufour, 12-year-old mare, on 37.08 secs.

Nina came to California after a successful circuit over the past two months on the USA East Coast and in Canada

Michael Duffy of Ireland on the nine-year-old gelding BE Sky Hawk placed third on 37.13 secs.

The top three world ranked Americans, Kent Farrington at No. 1, Laura Kraut No. 8 and McLain Ward No. 11 made the jump off but only McLain performed the second round, placing fourth on First Lady on 37.35 secs.

Results:

Place Competitor Nation Time

1 Argentina de la Marchette - Gregory Wathelet BEL 68.25/36.59

2 Dynastie de Beaufour - Nina Mallevaey FRA 70.67/37.08

3 BE Sky Hawk - Michael Duffy IRL 70.67/37.13

4 First Lady - McLain Ward USA 71.41/37.35

5 Precious Dwerse Hagen - Stella Wasserman USA 71.40/39.02

Photo: Gregory Wathelet of Belgium and Argentina de la Marchette