Daniel Deusser wins Rolex Grand Prix
The Rolex Grand Slam dream was reignited for Germany’s Daniel Deusser on the final day of The Dutch Masters, as he claimed the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix title to become the Rolex Grand Slam live contender once more.
The course set by Louis Konickx saw a quality field of 12 horse and rider combinations master the first round without fault, including CHIO Aachen champion and Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser, who was in contention for a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping non-consecutive bonus. Much to the delight of the Dutch crowd, a strong contingent of four Dutch riders reached the nine-obstacle jump-off, vying for a home victory.
“I was feeling confident as the horse has felt in very good shape over the last couple weeks, but you still have to bring it on the day of course” explained Deusser. “Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z jumped very well in the first round, he felt really nice but we had a lot of competitors in the jump-off which always makes it harder and puts on a little bit more pressure. It made me think about what tactic I should play a bit more, I tried to do one less stride from the first to second, but I knew even when I had done my perfect round, that there were good riders to come and it could maybe be beaten. I was very lucky that the ones who tried to go faster had the last down and I am over the moon with this result.”
Harrie Smolders started as number two in the jump-off and rode a truly superior clear round in a time of 38.03 seconds. "It was a bit of a disadvantage that I had an early draw. I rode my own round. Then I saw that I had left a small gap and that it could be faster. But they made a mistake because they took more risk. I think Daniel Deusser rode a perfect round. That is top sport. It is decided in hundreds of seconds. Monaco jumped fantastic again. I am super satisfied. Now up to the World Cup finals in Leipzig next month", Smolders said afterwards.
Willem Greve was the last competitor in the jump off with the only eleven year old stallion Gandorado TN. They gave everything and came over the finish line a fraction short of victory. Third place was their share in one of the most prestigious grand prix of the year. "Mega cool this result. I have trained Grandorado TN from scratch. He has always been in the spotlights, because he is a much sought-after stallion. I have always believed in him and I really worked towards this Grand Prix. I had a great feeling beforehand. He is in shape and now everything falls into place. At this level all aspects of the sport come up. This gives a lot of satisfaction.
The next major will be the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO in Aachen from 24 June until 3 July.
Photos: The Dutch Masters/Remco Veurink
The course set by Louis Konickx saw a quality field of 12 horse and rider combinations master the first round without fault, including CHIO Aachen champion and Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser, who was in contention for a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping non-consecutive bonus. Much to the delight of the Dutch crowd, a strong contingent of four Dutch riders reached the nine-obstacle jump-off, vying for a home victory.
“I was feeling confident as the horse has felt in very good shape over the last couple weeks, but you still have to bring it on the day of course” explained Deusser. “Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z jumped very well in the first round, he felt really nice but we had a lot of competitors in the jump-off which always makes it harder and puts on a little bit more pressure. It made me think about what tactic I should play a bit more, I tried to do one less stride from the first to second, but I knew even when I had done my perfect round, that there were good riders to come and it could maybe be beaten. I was very lucky that the ones who tried to go faster had the last down and I am over the moon with this result.”
Harrie Smolders started as number two in the jump-off and rode a truly superior clear round in a time of 38.03 seconds. "It was a bit of a disadvantage that I had an early draw. I rode my own round. Then I saw that I had left a small gap and that it could be faster. But they made a mistake because they took more risk. I think Daniel Deusser rode a perfect round. That is top sport. It is decided in hundreds of seconds. Monaco jumped fantastic again. I am super satisfied. Now up to the World Cup finals in Leipzig next month", Smolders said afterwards.
Willem Greve was the last competitor in the jump off with the only eleven year old stallion Gandorado TN. They gave everything and came over the finish line a fraction short of victory. Third place was their share in one of the most prestigious grand prix of the year. "Mega cool this result. I have trained Grandorado TN from scratch. He has always been in the spotlights, because he is a much sought-after stallion. I have always believed in him and I really worked towards this Grand Prix. I had a great feeling beforehand. He is in shape and now everything falls into place. At this level all aspects of the sport come up. This gives a lot of satisfaction.
The next major will be the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO in Aachen from 24 June until 3 July.
Photos: The Dutch Masters/Remco Veurink