The French came out strong in the NAB Lightning Protection Prize at 1.45m level, but it was Sweden's top rider Peder Fredricson who managed to break their victory march. With his 17-year-old Hansson WI, he was allowed to step forward first in the prize-giving ceremony.

Simon Delestre (FRA) set a sharp time early in the competition with Golden Boy DK, after which compatriot Julien Anquetin managed to improve it with a blazing 59.59 seconds on Fiona Des Ibis. But then Fredricson came into action with his seasoned Hansson WI. In a perfectly balanced round, he managed to keep his competitors just behind.

Seven hundredths difference
The Swede took the win by a minimal margin of just seven hundredths of a second. Asked whether his experience was the deciding factor in that exact timing, the Olympic medallist responded with a smile: ‘To be honest, I did not see Julien Anquetin riding! During the course, I had thought of making ten canter jumps to obstacle two. We got a nice rhythmic round and that's also thanks to Hansson WI's experience.’

After his second place in the VDL Groep Prize on Friday evening, Fredricson is enjoying an excellent weekend in Den Bosch. ‘Hopefully we can keep this line! Tomorrow the Rolex Grand Prix is on the programme.’

Photos: TDM/Digishots