What a great performance by Gilles Thomas (26) with Ermitage Kalone in the Global Champions Leaugue in Madrid on Friday! Gilles and his 69-year-old (!) Valkenswaard-United teammate, John Withaker (Equine Amerika Unick de Francport) jumped to victory. In the first round, Belgian Champion Gilles Thomas impressed with his 10-year-old stallion Ermitage Kalone, with a beautiful and clear clear round. In the second round too, all the bars remained in place and the stallion jumped at a particularly high level.

After Friday's demonstration with a win in the Global Champion Leauge, together with his teammate John Withaker, Gilles and Ermitage Kalone again jumped a very good basic round and ditto jump-off in the 1.60m-high Grand Prix of Madrid. Eight duos qualified for the jump-off, four remained clear. Gilles and his ten-year-old stud Ermitage Kalone (by Catoki) jumped to third place in more than nice company. First place went to Christian Kukuk with Checker 47. Maikel Van Der Vleuten rode Beauville Z to silver.