Bernardo Alves qualifies for the Aachen Grand Prix

On Friday morning, Bernardo Alves won the STAWAG Prize, a time and penalties competition without a jump-off that is also the qualifier for the most important CHIO jumping competition on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Brazilian rider, who trains with Nelson Pessoa in Brussels, reached the finishing line with the Belgian gelding, Topic van't Voorhof by Non Stop in 68.97 seconds. Pessoa acquired the bay gelding last year from Italy. Only a few days under the saddle, Alves won the Grand Prix of Amsterdam with him and tested his form at this year's World Cup tournament in Gothenburg, where he finished second in the World Cup qualifier. With this victory, Bernardo gained his “entry ticket” for the Grand Prix of Aachen which takes place on Sunday.

Ludger Beerbaum took almost three seconds longer (71.91) with his 14-year-old Westphalian mare Gladdys by Grandeur. The two closely beat the US American, Beezie Madden with her 11-year-old Dutch gelding, Desilvio by Silvio II (72.09).