Marc Houtzager and Mereusa victorious in the CSI2* Grand Prix at Spring MET II 2026
The action at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain resumed this week as the second part of the Spring MET 2026 kicked off. Sunday’s highlight was the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by Dammann Reitplatz- u. Sportplatzbau GmbH, where the Netherland’s Marc Houtzager and the 9-year-old mare Mereusa (Comme Il Faut 5 x Toulon) took the top honours after an exciting jump-off.
Eight from the 62 horse-and-rider combinations at start delivered a clear in round one and joined the deciding jump-off, where Houtzager and Mereusa clocked the winning of 41.42 seconds. Laurent Goffinet (FRA) and Elwood Blues (Ogrion des Champs x Live du Theil) had to settle for the runner-up spot with their time of 42.50, while Dayro Arroyave (COL) on Arctic Light B (Exxon Hedonist x Gingerino 2) completed the podium in 43.17.
Robin Naeve (SWE) with Benur du Romet (Balou du Rouet x Damour) finished fourth with a time of 43.70, while a clear in 44.04 seconds saw Pierre Louis Roche (FRA) and Golden Boy du Chalet (Quartz Rouge x Vend Me d’Uriat) finish fifth.
“I am really happy with Mereusa,” Houtzager said after his victory. “This horse is only nine, I have her since she was seven. She is a super horse; she has a great mind and so much quality.”
“The course was quite difficult today for a two-star Grand Prix,” Houtzager analysed the competition. “There were a lot of broken lines, and if you came a bit off the line, then the distances were going away from you, and the time allowed was quite short as well. I think the course was fair. There were only eight clears and in the jump-off, I tried to win. In the end, it was enough.”
“Everything is perfectly organized, the grounds are good and the course building is great,” Houtzager – a familiar face in Oliva Nova – said about the venue. “I am really happy with today’s result.”
Spring MET II 2026 continues next week, followed by Spring MET III in March and Spring MET IV in April.
Photo © Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com
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