Dutch prove unstoppable for faultless FEI Nations Cup win in Rotterdam

On what was the 68th anniversary of CHIO Rotterdam, the result was the first time since 2003 that the World and European champions have won on home soil.

Their victory was assured once the home foursome of Harrie Smolders (on Emerald NOP), Jur Vrieling (VDL Sirocco Blue NOP), Willem Greve (Carambole (NOP) and Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Verdi TN NOP) hit the front on a zero score, a position from which they never looked back.

Switzerland overcome Germany in the battle for runner-up spot, as Sweden secured fourth, and the USA, Belgium, France and Great Britain filled the remaining places.

Dutch course designer, Louis Konickx, presented a clever test in the oddly-shaped Rotterdam ring which is much wider at one end. However three of the four Dutch team-members returned fault-free at their first attempt, while pathfinders Smolders on Emerald NOP picked up only a single time fault when exceeding the 79 seconds time-allowed.

There were 10 clear rounds in the first round, and with just four faults apiece Switzerland and Germany were on level pegging at the halfway stage, ahead of Sweden with nine faults on the board.

Great Britain came to Rotterdam on a high after their victory in Rome four weeks ago but they were already out of contention when sharing a 12-fault tally with France at the halfway point. Things then deteriorated even further in the second round for both sides who slipped down the leaderboard with big scores to add.

USA and Belgium on the other hand dramatically improved when posting zero second-round scores, but it was too late to affect the final result.

Sweden cemented their position with just four more to add for a final tally of 13 after single second-round errors from Henrik von Eckermann on Yajamila and Charlotte Mordasini on Romand du Their and clear rounds from both Baryard-Johnsson with H&M ue Channa and Peder Fredriscon with H&M All In.

Germany began to lose their grip on runner-up spot when Marco Kutscher put 12 on the board with Balermo as round two got underway. Fellow-countrymen Daniel Deusser with Equita van T Zorgvliet) and Marcus Ehning with Funky Fred produced clear rounds to stabilise matters, but Ludger Beerbaum and Casello’s four faults would prove costly.

A faultless display from Steve Guerdat with his London 2012 Olympic ride, Nino des Buissonnets, ensured a four-fault finish and runner-up spot for Switzerland with a fence in hand over Team Germany in third place.

However the Netherlands were already in pole position as Smolders came home well within the time at his second attempt while Vrieling and VDL Zirocco Blue also left all the poles in place once again.

When Willem Greve steered Carambole through another clear round, victory was complete meaning Maikel van der Vleuten was afforded the luxury of not being required to ride again with VDL Groep Verdi as their first-round clear round had already confirmed their form.

After their impressive win in Rotterdam, The Netherlands have taken over the lead of the overall standing in Europe Division 1 with 260 points. France is second with 215 points, while Great Britain are in third position with 200 points. The top three teams have collected points at three legs, while fourth placed Sweden and Switzerland only have points from two legs so far.

The next leg of the series is the Europe Division 1 leg at Falsterbo, Sweden, on Friday 8 July.

• In the Longines Grand Prix Port of Rotterdam, Portugal’s Luciana Diniz came out on top of a congested jump-off round which saw 17 horse and rider combinations compete for the top prize.

Riding Fit For Fun, Diniz edged out world number one McLain Ward on HH Azur to take top place on the podium, with Harrie Smolders finishing third with Emerald N.O.P.
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League
Result: Rotterdam, Netherlands

1. Netherlands 0 faults
2. Switzerland 4
3. Germany 8
4. Sweden 13
5. USA 16
6. Belgium 21
7. France 28
8. Great Britain 32

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League
Standings after fifth leg at Rotterdam, Netherlands

1. Netherlands 260
2. France 215
3. Great Britain 200
4. Sweden 145
4. Switzerland 145
6. Germany 135
7. Belgium 100
7. Ireland 100
9. Italy 47.5
10. Czech Republic 45