In Rotterdam, there was sunshine, packed stands, four-star dressage and a newly crowned Dutch national champion who clearly had no intention of just making up the numbers.
Marieke van der Putten won Thursday’s Grand Prix of CDI 4*of Rotterdam with Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P., en signant un record personnel à77,957 %. A first act that immediately set the tone: the Netherlands had not come to stroll around with pretty saddle pads.
With her 12-year-old mare, by Zonik N.O.P..Van der Putten delivered a solid, clean test, at times almost too easy on the eye. The kind of performance that makes everything look simple. Spoiler: it never is.
« She is an amazing horse, and she gave me an amazing feeling during our test. She keeps getting better with every competition ,” said the Dutch rider, delighted to see Zantana continuing her rise.
Beautiful to watch, not quite so simple to ride
The Rotterdam Arena may look like a sporting postcard when the sun hits it just right, but it remains an arena. A real one. With noise, atmosphere, eyes everywhere, and that pressure that can turn a transition into a small tightrope act.
Van der Putten knew it. Zantana may love the moment, but she can also get caught up in the scenery.The stadium in Rotterdam is beautiful, with a great atmosphere, but for Zantana it can also be a challenge ” she explained. In other words: behind the polish of 77.957%, there was riding, tact, and a few tiny fires put out before the public ever saw the smoke.
The Dutch rider had also entered Kuvasz RS2with whom she scored 72,239 %enough for fifth place. On Saturday, she will therefore return twice to the Rotterdam Arena: first with Kuvasz in the Grand Prix Special, puis avec Zantana dans le Grand Prix Freestyle. Two horses, two shots to fire, zero desire to go home early.
Becky Moody, second and not exactly satisfied
Next in, Becky Moody took second place with Jagerbomb, scoring 75,282 %. A solid performance, of course. But the British rider did not exactly look like someone who had ticked every box.
The World Cup Final winner in Fort Worth in April admitted the test could have been better: a few mistakes, a horse not quite as sharp as hoped, and that very dressage feeling that everything could have been a little cleaner, a little more electric, a little more Jagerbomb, basically.
She still smiled about it: if her horse had piaffed during the test the way he did during the applause at the prize-giving, the score might have looked different. Free translation: thank you, crowd, shame it came three minutes too late.
Moody is already looking ahead to Saturday and the Freestyle. She heard the seats are sold out. She knows a full Rotterdam Arena can turn into a small volcano. And apparently, Jagerbomb likes it when it rumbles.
Mauro Turfhorst, nine years old and already broad shoulders
Third place went to Dinja van Liere with Mauro Turfhorst N.O.P.T.who scored exactly 75,000 % Clean, clear, promising. Especially for a horse of just nine years old, still at the beginning of his story at the highest level.
Van Liere admitted it: there was a small mistake in the transition to canter, more on her than on the horse. But the unofficial target had been clear: 73% would be good; 75% would be very good. Result: very good, then. With the smile to match.
Two weeks after their second place at the Dutch national championships, the pair confirmed they will be worth watching closely. “Mauro is a real superstar,” said Van Liere. At nine years old, and in only one of his first Grands Prix, the horse handled the Rotterdam atmosphere with almost insolent calm.
On the Belgian side, Larissa Pauluis also performed in this CDI4* with her faithful Flambeau, finishing eighth on 71,000 %. Not the kind of score that shakes the walls of Rotterdam, but a test that keeps the pair firmly in the international core in an arena that does not forgive much.
Rotterdam opened the weekend, the Dutch riders lit the fuse
Saturday’s Freestyle promises another level of volume. And if Zantana keeps climbing, if Jagerbomb decides to piaffe at the right time, and if Mauro confirms he does not need to be old to be serious, Rotterdam could well offer more than just a pretty weekend in the sun.
More like a full dress rehearsal with sharpened knives.
Find the full results of the Rotterdam Grand Prix Dressage here.
(Photo cover © CHIO Rotterdam)
