Rotterdam Nations Cup: Show of Dutch strength in Dressage, today show jumping

That Holland’s dressage is awesome is nothing new, but in Rotterdam the first day of competition has already seen the Oranje climb to the summit after the Grand Prix dressage, included as part of the Nations Cup, yesterday when the Dutch put on a real test of strength.
Netherlands won without one of its best performers: Edward Gal, brilliantly replaced by a surprising Hans Peter Minderhound, in splendid form with Glock’s TN Johnson, who got the best score touching 80%.
Also Diederik van Silfhout on Arlando performed well while Adelinde Cornelissen with Jerich Parzival is now a guarantee for success, the fourth pair of the winning team was Danielle Hejkoop on Siro.
Coach John Rockx was extremely satisfied especially with Minderhound, beaming after Johnson’s performance at the highest level after a long absence, his last appearance at international level went back to the European Championships in Aachen, an important signal that Holland has apparently rediscovered one of its champions.
Runner-up in the match yesterday was the US team of: 75,640 Laura Graves with Verdades, 76.30; Steffen Peters on Legolas, 76.04; Kasey Perry-Glass on GoerklintgaardsDublet, 74.58 and Shelly Francis with Doktor, 70.68.
In third place came the Swedish selection, with the total score of 74,660: Tinne VilhelmsonSilfvén on Don Auriello, 75.72; Patrik Kittel with Deja, 74.38; Juliette Ramel and Buriel KH, 73.88; Rose Mathisen riding South Wind, 69.62.
The focus for the day today in Rotterdam moves instead onto show jumping. The Netherlands will be the third team on the field with: Harrie Smolders on Emerald NOP, Jur Vrieling with Vdl Zirocco Blue, Willem Greve riding Carambola NOP and Maikel van der Vleuten on Vdl Groep Verdi TN NOP.
Open the competition will be the Germans with one of the best possible teams: Marco Kutscher with Balermo, Daniel Deusser on Equita van T Zorgvliet, Marcus Ehning with Funky Fred and Ludger Beerbaum on Casello.
France will face the track for the second with another quality team: Simon Delestre on Qlassic Bois Margot, Kevin Staut with Reveur de Hurtebise, Patrice Delaveau riding Orient Express HDC and Penelope Leprevost riding Flora de Mariposa.
Then Switzerland with Janika Sprunger on Bonne Chance Cw, Martin Fuchs riding 51 Clooney, Paul Estermann on Castelfield Eclipse and Steve Guerdat on Nino des Buissonnets.
After the Netherlands it’s the turn of the UK, Belgium, Sweden and the USA, the event is scheduled for 15:00 this afternoon, the rankings available live on the Longines timing.com.
(MC)