CSI2* Spring MET: A victorious start for Lauranne Spits
The action at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova has resumed. The first week of competition at the Spring MET 2026 concluded on Sunday with a Belgian victory in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by Dammann Reitplatz- u. Sportplatzbau GmbH.
Eleven horse-and-rider combinations from the 43 at start cleared the first-round track and joined the deciding jump-off, where Belgium’s Lauranne Spits (20) and the 11-year-old mare Parel van het Russeltveld (Lavallino Ter Klomp x Sandro Boy) clocked the winning time of 38.36.
“I have had her for three years. She’s really nice, she always tries her best and I really love her a lot,” Lauranne said about her winning mount, Parel van het Russelveld.
“I saw the first two riders in the jump-off and I thought they were really quick – so I knew I had to go fast also,” she explained about her winning strategy. “Parel felt good in the first round, and I went in to the jump-off with confidence. I know my mare, and I just tried to have a good round and see what happens. It worked out and I’m happy!”
“I like being here, it’s nice that you can work on the younger horses also,” the happy winner said about the venue in Oliva Nova. “I stay here the whole tour. I’ll try to work on my younger horses, they’re here to learn. I’m also here to learn, to ride these big courses with Parel – she’s teaching me how to do it.”
The host nation’s Mariano Martinez Bastida and Belano Vd Wijnhoeve Z (Berlin x Darco) had to settle for the second place when the clock stopped on 39.51, while Denmark’s Andreas Schou and Convant (Conbassy x Vivant) completed the podium in third with the time of 39.55. Olivier Perreau (FRA) on Leopard des Joanins Z (L’Arc de Triomphe Bois Margot x Quick Star) followed in fourth, while Eoin McMahon (IRL) aboard Disney Z (Dimitri Z x Numero Uno) finished fifth.
The Spring MET I 2026 continues next week, followed by Spring MET II in February, Spring MET III in March and Spring MET IV in April.
Click here for full results.