Luxembourg’s Charlotte Bettendorf made a triumphant return to international competition after an 18-month hiatus by winning the $62,500 Kentucky Spring Classic CSI3* in Lexington, Kentucky. Riding the 10-year-old Selle Français mare Good Girl DK, Bettendorf narrowly edged out 64 competitors, finishing just 0.3 seconds ahead of Venezuela’s Luis Larrazabal and Feeling Chance. Bettendorf praised her horse’s competitive spirit and carefulness, highlighting Good Girl DK’s promising performance in only her second 1.50-meter class.
The challenging course, designed by Guilherme Jorge, featured 13 obstacles including complex combinations and required precision and speed. Seven riders advanced to the jump-off, where Bettendorf set the fastest clear round time of 44.27 seconds. Larrazabal and Charlise Casas completed the podium with times of 44.55 and 45.06 seconds, respectively. Bettendorf’s strategic and confident ride marked a successful comeback on the international show jumping stage.
