LONDON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Dutchman Harrie Smolders captured the title of the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2017/2018 Western European League at Mechelen in Belgium on Saturday.

Riding the 13-year-old gelding Zinius, he set an unbeatable target with a fearless run when fourth to go in a seven-horse jump-off.

Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann finished secodn and soared to the top of the league table. Italy's Luca de Lorenzo settled for third.

"I never won before at Mechelen and I really wanted to do it, so I was totally focused," said the 37-year-old Smolders. "When I got into the jump-off I just wanted to win, I was never riding for second place so I took the risk by taking a stride out to the last."

Smolders, who helped his country win the Nations Cup three months ago in Barcelona, added, "This is very special because I came here with all my family - my kids, my wife and my parents - it was an unforgettable moment and I'm very thankful to the crowd. The atmosphere here is always really intense and it gives us even more of a push to show what we can do."

As 2018 begins and with just four of the 13 Western European league qualifiers remaining, the next taking place in Leipzig, , on January 21, Smolders has 25 points on the board and is 22nd on the standings.

"I wasn't planning to go to the Final in Paris but now we might have a meeting and set some new goals," he said. "I will do a few qualifiers anyway and I want to get Emerald out to a few shows, maybe get him ready by Gothenburg (in February) if I can. We will see, but this win is the perfect end to a great year for me."