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France’s former world number one Simon Delestre won the first Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year – the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch – with the 13-year-old gelding Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead x Quaprice Bois Margot) as the only double clear in the competition
while Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady took the runner-up spot and Yuri Mansur on Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm rounded up the podium in third.
A total of 39 horse-and-rider combinations lined up for the first Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year in the sold-out Brabanthallen
where the 1.60m course set by Louis Konickx (NED)
Quintin Maertens (NED) and Gerard Lachat (SUI) counted 14 obstacles and 18 efforts and proved a fitting test for the world’s best
Kicking off with the Rolex Grand Slam-wall at fence one
a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination waited at 5abc and two more combinations followed – an oxer-vertical combination at 8ab with a water underneath the b-element
the Rolex Grand Prix of 's-Hertogenbosch was an exciting watch – we take a look back at some of the thrills and spills!
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
© 2025 World of Showjumping - All rights reserved
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2025–Charlotte “Lottie” Fry of Great Britain and Glamourdale won the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Saturday within a fraction of 90% to insure a start for the World Championship partnership in the Final in three weeks
Lottie and the 14-year-old stallion were awarded 89.705% % for the victory a day after claiming the Grand Prix a day earlier and enough to place fourth in the Western European League that gets to send at least nine combinations to the championship at Basel
and Glamourdale have accumulated medals at Olympics
European and Young Horse Championships but was eliminated from the World Cup on Everdale last year
a last-minute addition to Britain’s team at the Paris Olympics
Belgium’s Justin Verboomen on the nine-year-old stallion Zonik Plus placed third on 84.160%
remained atop the rankings when placed fourth on DSP Quantaz on 82.415%
The likely starters for Western Europe are still undecided because of issues outside competition such as the decision by Blue Hors of Denmark to suspend showing of its horses that could deprive stable rider Nanna Skodborg Merrald of a start
North America with three places and Central Europe with two
both of whose placings are decided by competition results
Louis Konickx (NED) laid out a “delicate” course that required attention at every turn
which thinned the field with ruthless efficiency
while most others heard rails hit the sand behind them
especially when hopes were dashed for Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender
Harrie Smolders (NED) after he collected a fault along the latter half of the course with Monaco
when he became one of only three combinations who scraped through to the jump-off in s-Hertogenbosch
outplay) Yuri Mansur (BRA) and Scott Brash (GBR)
the question being in what order they would take the victory lap
Yuri Mansur (BRA) took the first crack at the shortened course with 12-year-old mare Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm
but an early celebration from the crowd perhaps stirred the mare’s focus and the last fence came down
They clocked in on 43.08 seconds with four-faults
After a disappointed Mansur came an eager Brash who
he couldn’t escape through the timers without four faults
Delestre put Cayman Jolly Jumper on cruise control
but afterwards it was a blazing victory lap of celebration
and long with a difficult combination at the end
You really needed a horse with the right energy and power
You had to be cautious everywhere and had moments of speed
everything was in one course,” said Delestre
but it proved to be a different type of pressure when victory was so close for each of them
“It’s always a nice feeling when you know there is only going to be three in the jump-off
but then you also know how close you are to getting the win
and of course you don’t want to hand it to someone
in the way I feel we did with Simon today who just had to jump a clear to win,” Brash explained
just having to jump a clear to win is a different kind of pressure.”
you’re proud because you’ve already done so well
but at the same time you know you are really close to winning…but of course knowing these two were coming after me nothing was ever certain,” said Mansur
nothing is certain for the new Rolex Grand Slam Live Contender
as it seems to be increasingly difficult to secure three in a row with such distinguished start lists
“Looking at the list of horses and riders
I think if you jumped the Grand Prix ten times you’d have ten different results
It’s anyone’s game,” said Brash
The tension was palpable at the final FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League qualifier of the season
Charlotte Fry (GBR) and Glamourdale emerged victorious once again
securing their ticket to the Final with a perfect record of three wins out of three appearances
her compatriot Becky Moody (GBR) and Jagerbomb came within touching distance
Belgium’s rising star Justin Verboomen (BEL) wowed the crowd and finished in third place
Fry and Moody dominated in a sold-out arena in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
going head-to-head in a battle of British excellence
The reigning World Champion Fry edged out her fellow Brit in both tests
delivering a flawless Freestyle performance that scored 89.705%
Having already claimed victories in London and Amsterdam
comfortably securing her place at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Basel in three weeks’ time
as well as Belgium’s Justin Verboomen with Zonik Plus
With many top combinations travelling to ‘s-Hertogenbosch for the final opportunity to secure points
the start list featured an exceptionally strong field
This left the Dutch home athletes playing a more supporting role
particularly after home favourite Dinja van Liere (NED) withdrew before the Grand Prix
The best Dutch result came from Marlies van Baalen (NED)
produced a harmonious Freestyle to harp music
While their test impressed in terms of harmony
with three Belgian athletes finishing in the top seven
Domien Michiels (BEL) and Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (owned by Marc Steeno) delivered a faultless Freestyle with soft contact and a powerful canter tour
Larissa Pauluis (BEL) followed with a dynamic and energetic performance aboard Flambeau (owned by Marie Christine Pauluis
with deep bass tones resonating through the arena
Pauluis secured a fifth-place finish and earned enough points to book her place in the Final
it was Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus who led the Belgian charge
the pair impressed again in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Their piaffe and passage were breathtaking
and their Freestyle was rewarded with 84.160%
a winner,” said a slightly reserved Verboomen
he may fall short on points for a Final spot
The second half of the competition saw scores soar
and ever-more refined technical and artistic execution
Pauline Basquin (FRA) and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE (owned by Institut Français du Cheval et de L’Equitation) added valuable points to their tally following their victory in Madrid
Their test was highlighted by lightness and harmony in the trot tour
Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (GER) and the ever-cheerful Florine OLD (owned by Elisabeth von Wulffen) also clinched their spot in the Final
The striking chestnut mare confidently pranced through the test with ears forward
Their 78.965% score and sixth-place finish sealed their qualification
Dressage queen Isabell Werth (GER) remains atop the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings with 75 points
Riding DSP Quantaz (owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer)
she had to settle for fourth place this year in ‘s-Hertogenbosch after winning here in 2024
The German legend is now set to contest her astonishing 26th FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final
The leading roles in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Glamourdale (owned by the athlete and Gertjan van Olst) was in outstanding form
showcasing a breathtaking combination of beauty
but today when the crowd started clapping and cheering
who shed a few tears after her performance
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb (co-owned by Moody and Jo Cooper) delivered a personal best
His heart is his most talented part: he always gives absolutely everything
The start list for the 38th FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final will take shape very soon
FULL RESULTS
No.2 seed Liudmila Samsonova won her first title of the season after coming from a set down to defeat Bianca Andreescu 4-6
7-5 in the final of the Libema Open on Sunday
The title is Samsonova's fifth on the Hologic WTA Tour and second on grass
came into 's-Hertogenbosch ranked No.15 on the PIF WTA Rankings
After easing through her first three rounds without losing a set to Alison Van Uytvanck
inclement weather forced Samsonova to do double duty on Sunday
It's already one month and it's raining all the day
"It's amazing to have the title after a week like that."
Samsonova's day began with the resumption of her semifinal showdown with No.3 seed and two-time defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova
Alexandrova had saved match points the night before to force a third set before play was suspended due to rain
But Samsonova needed just 32 minutes to close out a 6-3
6-1 win and end Alexandrova's title defense
Playing in her eighth career final on the Hologic WTA Tour and first of the season
Samsonova's consistent baseline barrage proved the difference against Andreescu
who was playing her second tournament of the year
"I'm super happy the way I found the solution mentally," Samsonova said
I didn't have much energy and I found something really
Andreescu took advantage of a sluggish start from Samsonova to break twice in the opening set to seal an early advantage
breaking Andreescu for a 3-0 lead in the second set before forcing the decider
Andreescu took an off-court medical timeout early in the third set and returned with her upper left leg taped
but Andreescu leveled the set at 4-4 and bravely saved three break points to hold and lead 5-4
she broke Andreescu one final time and served out the win after 2 hours and 34 minutes
Samsonova finished the match with 36 winners
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@LiudaSamsonova captures her fifth career WTA Tour title, defeating Andreescu 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in 's-Hertogenbosch!#LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/fcUXFvFTAT
this is definitely a step forward," Andreescu said
"I've been through a lot for quite some time
but I know there are good things coming for me."
Ingrid Neel and Bibiane Schoofs defeated Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls 7-6(6)
It is the first team win for the Estonian-Dutch duo
Their first doubles title together 🏆🫂@ingridNeel_ & @BibianeSchoofs reign supreme in 's-Hertogenbosch! #LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/ZWlncb5I3a
-- Text and Photos © Eurodressage (this article expresses Eurodressage's' eye-witness account and opinion) - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED / NO SCREEN SHOTS for social media
The last time I visited the CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch was in 2018
Since then conflicting travel schedules (Wellington)
and other reasons kept me from returning to Den Bosch
the entry field enticed me enough to do the one-hour drive to the very conveniently located Brabanthallen
As soon as I entered the building on Friday morning 9 AM and walked through the luxurious trade fair with its beautiful shops
wine) and an array of restaurants (sushi!!) I remember how "Indoor Brabant" is probably the best indoor competition I have been to when it comes to lifestyle
Werth schooling QuantanzI went to the press center
picked up my press pass and morning cappuccino and walked to the arena for the Intermediaire I Kur to Music
What I did not remember was how badly the lighting is in that arena
The LED screens were very stark and overall the competition ring was poorly lit.
Maybe that kept me from going to Den Bosch
I immediately questioned my photographic skills but when I sat with my colleagues Dirk Caremans
Lottie Fry's Nespresso had a cute red ribbon in his forelock and delicate red flag not to ride too closely
I had planned on doing extensive notes of the Grand Prix 3* and CDI-W 5* class
but after not having seen the "photo boys" since the Olympics
we had a lot of catching up to do and we became like four people sitting at the bar in a cafe
reminiscing and exchanging stories while the class was happening
blue tongues and enhanced sugar mouths (fluff
etc) are serving as catnip to Scandinavian tabloids and their harassment has one positive: it's pushing long-awaited change which in all fairness the riders and judges have been obstructing from the inside out
Change in dressage came at snail speed and now stakeholders have been put on a roller coaster with no wheels
Dutch judge Joyce Heuitink and Indoor Brabant sports director Anky van GrunsvenYou noticed that something was in the air in Den Bosch with the judging and riding
riders literally are trying to pull less hard on the bit
but there is still a lot of strange crisp white foam coming out of the mouths of some horses
but we all know not a single rider has been yellow carded for the use of artificial sugar since the FEI banned "fluff"
in Den Bosch in such a high profile field of famous riders
even though there was at least one horse in need of a rest
While watching the classes I thought the contact with the bridle was better in several horses
but if you look at the close-ups of the photos
The photos used to vilify dressage right now
can easily be taken in show jumping and eventing too
I don't want to step into the pitfall of whataboutism
I couldn't help but wonder that it would be a mega bold move of the FEI to do a "test year" of only having a snaffle for dressage at all levels (and ideally in the greater picture also for show jumping and eventing ;) It would not interrupt world ranking points as there is a level field of play for all and it would be the perfect scientific research on a grand scale
Let's see how much the sport changes with the snaffle as only bit to rely on
Will the discolouration of the tongue be different
Are some horses not going be suitable for the sport anymore as they are too "strong"
Of course noseband tightness will still need to be checked..
Minderhoud on Toto JrThe 3* Grand Prix featured a field of 10 riders and was judged by Christine Prip
The class won by Hans Peter Minderhoud aboard the 14-year old Hanoverian stallion Toto Jr (by Totilas x Desperados)
The black is a powerful and athletic horse with three outstanding basic gaits
crossing the jaws and tilting the head throughout the movements
The judges rewarded the ride with a 71.869%
The million dollar question that keeps being asked: what will happen to the Glock horses
Minderhoud and Gal signed a non-disclosure agreement and are not allowed to talk
but the rumour is they filed an injunction and won in court
They get to keep the ride until the end of the contract (June or August 2025)
but Minderhoud is certainly giving it his all and he is now Holland's number two best scoring rider of the moment
Lottie Fry finished second on the 16-year old KWPN stallion Nespresso (by Negro x Tenerife) which she premiered in 2023
Den Bosch in 2025 is their sixth's CDI as a pair
Dinja van Liere on ImposantosThe 3* Grand prix saw several new combinations making their international debut
including Dinja van Liere aboard the 12-year old KWPN stallion Imposantos (by Wynton x Krack C)
The black was produced to Grand Prix level by Bart Veeze but Dinja is now fine-tuning the stallion
but Van Liere is able to ride a more than decent Grand Prix test out of this stallion
Thamar Zweistra rode her second big tour international on the 9-year old Hexagon's Luxuriouzz (by Johnson x San Remo)
The chestnut is a sympathetic horse but it was a lot of "high knees" and short neck
A mistake in the one tempi changes was not spotted by all judges
In the 5* CDI-W Grand Prix some of the biggest names in the sport lined up
who are expected to be the players at the Europeans Championships in Crozet next summer
Britain's Lottie Fry and the 14-year old Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale x Negro) topped the board with 75.978%
The powerful black stallion always brims with energy and willingness to work
The trot extensions could show more overtrack and lengthening of the top line
There was a bobble in the canter strike off and mistakes in the one tempi changes (still scoring 5.5!!)
The pirouettes and the two tempi changes were fabulous
Becky Moody and JagerbombBritish Becky Moody and her 11-year old KWPN bred Jagerbomb (by Dante Weltino x Jazz) were breathing down Fry's neck and would have overtaken them had it not for the late entry at the start and the big booboo in the final passage before the halt
The bay gelding showed good progress since the London qualifier with exceptional passage work
super straight on tempi changes and good pirouettes
The horse did not have the most overtrack in the extended walk
the collected was rather short and tense and the final piaffe was not secure in the rhythm
They posted 75.587% for second place but more is in the tank
Belgian newbie Justin Verboomen and his 9-year old Hanoverian bred and AES/SBS licensed stallion Zonik Plus (by Zonik x Hohenstein) landed third place with 74.652% and continues breaking Belgian records
The pair excels with its lightness and ease in the piaffe-passage with flawless transitions
At times you wish to see the hinglegs come under a fraction more
The collected walk was a highlight in its clarity
In the half pass right Zonik Plus tends to get a little passagey and for the young Grand Prix horse the tempi changes are still the working point with the changes to the right shorter than to the left
Verboomen had a low score of 71.957 and a high score of 76.522%
Justin Verboomen and Zonik PlusIsabell Werth must have felt out of her comfort zone finishing "only" fourth aboard the 15-year old DSP bred Quantaz (by Quaterback and also out of a Hohenstein dam like Zonik Plus!)
The bay has never been the easiest and was again fidgety in the contact
The horse achieved good overtrack in the trot extensions
was secure in the zig zag and there were no mistakes in the tempi lines
The pirouettes could have had a bit more bending
the piaffes were rather underwhelming today
but the final centerline had the best rhythm
They scored 73.761% although the low score was 71.957 and the high score 75.217% (both from the judges on the long side)
By the way: from Grand Prix riders you would expect them to ride from marker to marker
So many riders did the flying change at the end of the extended canter diagonal three strides too early
Pauline Basquin on Sertorius de Rima ZFrench Olympian Pauline Basquin and the 15-year old Sertorius de Rima Z (by Sandro Hit x Voltaine) completed the top five with a 71.957% score
The bay gelding competed in 10 CDI's in 2024 (including three tests in Aachen and at the Olympics) and went straight into a winter World Cup programme with 2024 starts Lyon and Madrid and 2025 starts in Basel and Den Bosch
To me the horse has lost quite some sparkle
while the rider struggled to sit the trot today
The passage was elegant and the walk part very well ridden
but in canter the horse got scratchy and there was a mistake in the ones
Related LinksScores: 2025 CDI-W 's HertogenboschLottie Fry Wins Final Western European League World Cup Qualifier at 2025 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch, WEL Tickets to Basel Decided
he proved today that he is back in full form,” France’s former world number one Simon Delestre said after taking the top honours in the first Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year – the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch – with the 13-year-old gelding Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead x Quaprice Bois Margot)
The 1.60m course set by Louis Konickx (NED)
Brazil’s Yuri Mansur and the 12-year-old mare Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm (Chacco-Blue x VDL Zirocco Blue) posted the first clear round
The second clear round came from Great Britain’s Olympic team champion Scott Brash – the only rider ever to have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – and the 12-year-old mare Hello Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender)
while Delestre and Cayman Jolly delivered the third clear halfway through the class
An unfortunate time penalty from round one kept Pieter Devos (BEL) and the impressive 10-year-old mare Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky x Cicero Z) out of the jump-off
while last year’s winner Willem Greve (NED) on Grandorado TN N.O.P
(Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Carolus II) saw his dream of a back-to-back win crushed as a pole fell on fence eleven
Following their win in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva
Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) arrived in ‘s-Hertogenbosch as the Rolex Grand Slam live contenders
home soil held no luck for the Dutch rider who faulted at the b-element on fence 8ab
leaving the door open for Delestre as last-to-go
Posting the only double clear of the competition
the 2024 Olympic team bronze medallist took the first Major win of his career
while Brash had to settle for second and Mansur for third
with a difficult combination at the end,” Delestre analysed the competition afterwards
“You needed a horse that had power and energy
I think I never rode a horse with such energy and scope,” Delestre continued
“I just try to have him relaxed and follow him
I made my plan based on what Scott and Yuri did,” Delestre said about his strategy for the jump-off
I had the fastest time but one down – that was not so comfortable.”
I think she was absolutely fantastic,” the second placed Brash said
I’m a bit disappointed with my riding in the jump-off
because I know her and I needed one more stride to that vertical
But when you know Simon is coming behind you and you know him and Cayman are very quick
you put pressure on yourself to try to deliver a quick clear
I am disappointed with myself but delighted with Chadora
“When there is this calibre of horses and riders coming behind you
you don’t have another plan than to risk,” the third placed Mansur weighed in
the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping continues at CHIO Aachen in July
followed by Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in September and CHI Geneva in December
“I understand how hard it is to win one Major
who to date is the only rider ever to have won the coveted title
but anything is possible – and Simon is now on that journey
I think these shows and these venues bring out the best in horses and riders
I also think every show organizer should come to this show and see how it is organized
the sponsors – I think everyone is well-looked after.”
2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu advanced to her first final of the season on Saturday after defeating Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi 6-4
"I believe that all the heard work that I'm putting in and the perseverance and never giving up is really paying off."
's-Hertogenbosch: Draws | Schedule | Scores
Andreescu will face either No.2 seed Liudmila Samsonova or two-time defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova for the title on Sunday
Samsonova and Alexandrova split sets in their semifinal before play was suspended for the remainder of the night
They will resume their match at 10:30 a.m on Sunday
Alexandrova saved two match points to take the match to a decider
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/kBsGBBxth1
is playing just her second tournament since being sidelined for nine months with a back injury
She last made a Hologic WTA Tour final on the grass at 2022 Bad Homburg
she is bidding to win her first title since her Grand Slam triumph in New York five years ago
Since returning to action three weeks ago at Roland Garros
in addition to Galfi she has defeated Eva Vedder
Her sole loss since her return came to French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini
Andreescu's progress this week will boost her firmly back inside the Top 200
Andreescu dominated her service games and was ruthlessly efficient on her own break chances
The Canadian won 62 percent of her first-serve points and 75 percent of her second-serve points
"I think I played very good throughout the whole match," Andreescu said
"The conditions weren't easy and she played really well at times
So I just tried to stay focused until the end and I just never gave up."
Andreescu broke Galfi's serve twice in the opening set before racing away with the second set to seal the win after 1 hour and 31 minutes
Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale became the winners of the last Western European League (WEL) World Cup qualifier at the 2025 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch on Saturday afternoon 15 March 2025
The tension was palpable at the Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch
where probably the strongest field of the season gathered to battle it out for the last World Cup ranking points
The 9 highest ranked riders on the WEL standing earn a ticket to 2025 World Cup Finals in Basel (SUI)
although only three riders per nation are eligible to go
securing their ticket to the Final in three weeks with a perfect record of three wins out of three appearances (London
This put her in 4th place with 60 points on the ranking
Fry and Moody dominated in a sold-out arena in 's-Hertogenbosch
delivering a Freestyle performance that scored 89.705%
Marlies van Baalen on Habibi DVBBecky Moody and her home-bred Jagerbomb
With many top combinations travelling to 's-Hertogenbosch for the final opportunity to secure points
This left the Dutch home athletes playing only a supporting role
the horse of home favourite Dinja van Liere (NED)
did not pass the horse inspection and was withdrawn from re-inspection
Long gone seem the days that the Dutch dominated Den Bosch with Anky van Grunsven
Adelinde Cornelissen and Edward Gal clinching victories and World Cup titles in succession
Only Hans Peter Minderhoud continues to play a winning part as he topped the 3* tour on Toto Jr
The best Dutch result in the World Cup freestyle came from Marlies van Baalen (NED)
who with her 13-year old home-bred Habibi DVB (by Don Schufro x Johnson) rode a Freestyle to harp music
Domien Michiels (BEL) and 17-year old BWP gelding Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (by Gribaldi x Balzflug) delivered a faultless freestyle with a powerful canter tour that earned him 7th place with a personal best of 78.705%
Larissa Pauluis (BEL) followed with a dynamic and energetic performance aboard 15-year old KWPN gelding Flambeau (by Ampere x Zeoliet)
it was Justin Verboomen and the 9-year old Hanoverian licensed stallion Zonik Plus (by Zonik x Hohenstein) who led the Belgian charge and has become the biggest shooting star of 2025
the pair impressed again in 's-Hertogenbosch
claiming third place with another personal best score and Belgian Kur record score
For Verboomen the World Cup final was never the goal of the season with his young Grand Prix horse
which he wants to compete strategically in preparation of Belgian team selection for the 2025 European Championships in Crozet
French Olympian Pauline Basquin (FRA) and the 15-year old Zangerheide registered Sertorius de Rima Z (by Sandro Hit x Voltaire) added valuable points to their tally following their victory in Madrid
securing their ticket to Basel after placing 8th in Den Bosch with 78.555%
They totalled 59 points on the WEL ranking to place 6th
Pauline Basquin on Sertorius de Rima ZBasquin will be joined at the World Cup Final in Basel by French Olympian Corentin Pottier
who began his World Cup campaign in Mechelen at the end of December 2024 and then competed his KWPN bred Gotilas (by Totilas) non-stop in Neumunster (GER)
He made the clever move to ship Gotilas to Motesice for an "easier" Central European League qualifier
where he faced little competition and secured another 20 points with a victory there
He stands second on the ranking with 63 points and is sure of his spot in Basel in three weeks time
Three Germans are heading to the World Cup Finals in Basel: Isabell Werth as the WEL ranking leader with 75 points
Bianca Nowag Aulenbrock standing third on the ranking with 61 points and Carina Scholz in fourth place with 60 points
In 's Hertogenbosch German Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (GER) and the ever-cheerful 13-year old Oldenburg mare Florine OLD (by Foundation x Lauries Crusador xx) confidently pranced through the Kur with ears forward
Isabell Werth on QuantazDressage queen Isabell Werth (GER) rode the 15-year old DSP bred Quantaz (by Quaterback x Hohenstein) to an atypical fourth place in the freestyle with 82.415%
her lowest Kur score since the 2024 World Cup Finals a year ago where they posted 81.404%
Nevertheless the German legend is now set to contest her astonishing 26th (!) World Cup Final
Carina Scholz did not ride in Den Bosch but scored her WEL ranking points by competing three different horses at CDI-W competitions this year: Quinto (Mariakalnok)
She is expected to compete the latter at the Finals
The 14-year old KWPN stallion Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdal x Negro) was in outstanding form
he is perfect in every way: he has the conformation
I just have to make sure to sit there and make everything look pretty."
Becky Moody and her 11-year old Jagerbomb (by Dante Weltino x Jazz) delivered a personal best
scoring 87.545% for their Beatles freestyle
Patrik Kittel on Forever Young HRHReigning FEI Dressage World Cup™ champion Patrik Kittel finished 11th in ‘s-Hertogenbosch with Forever Young HRH
he is automatically qualified for the Final
A maximum of three Athlete/Horse combinations per NF (including the title defender) will be allowed to participate in the World Cup Final
It will be the responsibility of the relevant NF to determine which three (3) Athletes to send to the Final in the event of more than three (3) Athletes qualifying from any one (1) NF
which means not a single Dutch rider qualified for Basel
Dinja's withdrawal opens up a spot for Spaniard Borja Carrascosa to go
All will be confirmed by the FEI in the following days
The top 15 ranked riders in the Western European League are:
Complete ranking here
Photos © Eurodressage - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED / NO SCREEN SHOTS for social media
Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Jiniki (Dallas x Cantos) won Friday's CSI5* 1.45m Gemeente ‘s-Hertogenbosch Prize at the 2025-edition of The Dutch Masters
“She did a top job today,” Dreher told World of Showjumping after his victory
“I know she is a really fast and careful horse
because she was so focused on the fences.”
As the second pair to go in the competition
Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and d’Orient Batilly (Numero Uno x Quaprice Boismargot Quincy) set the standard with a time of 59.18
taking an early lead and holding it throughout the competition – until the third last pair
while the penultimate pair Koen Vereecke (BEL) and Oilily de Muze (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Nirmette) slotted into second when crossing the finish line in 58.99
pushing Aznar to third and leaving the win for Dreher
Max Kühner (AUT) and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ard VDL Douglas) finished in fourth in 60.41
followed by Harrie Smolders (NED) and Kaspar R (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Baloubet du Rouet) fifth in 60.79
Germany’s former world number Daniel Deusser and the 11-year-old stallion Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) won Saturday night’s CSI5* 1.50m Audi Prize at the 2025-edition of The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
but he is actually not the fastest horse naturally
so I was not sure if I should even try it,” Deusser told World of Showjumping about Otello
“When I saw Vogel doing eight from one to two
I thought that was the only chance to have a little ribbon
and had two good turns after two and three – and luckily
we were just faster than the rest.”
Deusser snatched the win from Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle des Cotis (Baloubet du Rouet x Landor S) who had to settle for second in 29.07 in a jump-off between 15 horse-and-rider combinations
The hosts’ Mans Thijssen on Hello (Ambler Gambler x Nabab de Reve) slotted into third in 29.16
while Marcus Ehning (GER) on Priam du Roset (Plot Blue x Tanael du Serein) finished fourth in 29.88 and Richard Vogel (GER) aboard Cloudio (Casall x San Patrignano Cassini) fifth in 29.94
Netherlands -- 2018 champion Aleksandra Krunic earned the fifth Top 10 win of her career after defeating World No.5 Jessica Pegula 7-6(3)
6-4 in the second round of the Libema Open
"It definitely takes a lot to beat Jess on grass," Krunic told WTA Insider
"I think it took absolutely everything out of me today
I don't think I could have done anything better
I was absolutely playing at my 100 percent today."
the 31-year-old Serbian advanced to her first Hologic WTA Tour quarterfinal since 2022 and first on grass since winning her sole title six years ago
who stunned No.5 seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-3
There's just something about Krunic and the grass courts in Holland
She won her only WTA title here in 2018 in a memorable run that saw her knock out top seed CoCo Vandeweghe in the semifinals and Kirsten Flipkens in the final
she reached a career-high of No.39 on the PIF WTA Rankings
But Krunic came into this year's edition seeking her first tour-level main-draw win since 2022
During her qualifying campaign at 2022 Tallinn
she ruptured her ACL and did not return to competition until Wimbledon last year
Krunic ended her drought in the first round
posting a three-set win over French qualifier Jessika Ponchet
Pegula was playing just her second match since April
She returned to action this week after skipping the European clay season to heal a rib injury
Pegula struggled to consolidate her leads in the first and third sets
She led by a break at 4-2 in the first set
only to see Krunic peg her back and force a tiebreak
as Pegula lost five straight points to fall a set behind
"I think my variation was the key and definitely the way I moved," Krunic said
"I knew Jess would be consistent with her powerful shots so I had to be at my highest level of movement
I tried to make her play an extra shot over
The second set saw a similar pattern but opposite result
Pegula broke serve first and Krunic stormed back
But this time it was the American who won the last five points of the tiebreak to force a decider
"I haven't played at this level since my surgeries
so I was worried if I could play the same level in the third set," Krunic said
Krunic saved two break points in her opening service game before breaking Pegula for a 2-1 lead
After saving a third break point in the set
she consolidated that lead to 3-1 and did not face a break point for the remainder of the match
Krunic spoke to WTA Insider after the match to reflect on her up-and-down career and why she's still plugging away:
Q: You hadn't won a tour-level main-draw match in nearly two years before this week
How important was that first-round win over Ponchet
Krunic: Competing with someone in the main draw and winning was very important to me mentally
so that I could think I could do this at this level
beating a Top 5 player on one of her best surfaces
It tells me that I can still play at that level and I can compete for three sets at this level
I have to train harder so I can do this consistently
because I think Jess can do this every match
I think I need a vacation after this (laughs)
So I need to get to the point where I can do this in 50 percent of my matches
Q: You were pretty down after losing in the first round of Roland Garros
It's funny how quickly your fortunes can change
Clay is tough for me and challenging still
playing on clay is mentally very draining and tough
So I think Paris was just so hectic for me
but because it's grass and because I feel better with my body
especially now after everything I've been through
I'm still tired but at least it's good tired
At least I'm tired from Jess making me work my butt off
Q: It's been 10 years since that incredible run to the US Open Round of 16 in 2014
Krunic: I think my career lacked discipline because ever since I was young
My career was up and down because I lacked the right people to guide me
to tell me you are talented and skillful but this is what you have to do
I would have good results here and then sleep for six months
So I think I still have a lot to give to tennis if my body holds
I definitely think discipline is something I still owe to tennis and my career
Talent is nice but talent kicks in when discipline doesn't work anymore
When you get injured and you think you'll never play again
you realize what you've done wrong and you realize
"This is what I really regret and if I never play again
I've gone through all that and now I think I'm definitely enjoying more
I'll still always complain about things but that's me
But I try to do it to fire myself up instead of put myself down
I'm more focused now on process and tennis
I want to enjoy the way that I play regardless of whether I win or lose
That's definitely my main goal for the rest of my career
Home side rider Willem Greve topped the horse swap class results in ’s-Hertogenbosch tonight
the Dutch national champion beating representatives of the reigning medallists in all three senior championships
the HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions
re-created the format used in the final of the World Championships until 2014
where four riders each jump a round on each other’s horses
With the riders warming up each mount in the ring and commentary and interviews by 2014 world champion Jeroen Dubbeldam plus top rider Harrie Smolders
it made for a fascinating evening for the crowd at the Dutch Masters show
Willem, second-placed Philipp Weishaupt (European individual silver medallist) and third-placed Henrik von Eckermann
all sat on four faults after the initial rounds and had to jump off their own horses to settle the placings
The winner’s ride was Isabel de Rijcker’s Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest, Philipp piloted Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s Cupido 130 and Henrik put Dufour Stables AG’s Calizi into the competition. Fourth-placed Maikel van der Vleuten
the Olympic individual bronze medallist from Paris
brought forward Gabriela Roger Ibars’ Lalique
“Mine was a bit fresh – she jumped best in the last round with Maikel
but also she gets a bit tense and she doesn’t know this ring but she handled it well
but you can feel that she has enormous motivation and drive
The first impression of Cupido was a big horse and a bit slow
you didn’t expect him to have such a quick reflex – the feeling was very comfortable and careful
In the jump-off, Willem finished in 30.75sec to beat Philipp into second on 31.14sec. Henrik – who is riding in a hand brace after incurring an injury in a fall – took a risk to fence two and had it down for third
The three riders who jumped off all incurred four faults in the initial rounds on the same horse
the 10-year-old mare took the front bar off the oxer out of the double at fence 6b
but then the mare hit the white plank that topped fence seven
Philipp explained: “I watched Willem go – he came a bit long and open to the combination and it got a bit short for him
I tried to give her the room she needed in the combination
but it meant I had to squeeze a bit to the oxer out
Henrik jumped the mare third and she just had a light touch on the same plank
“I tried to help her with the plank and maybe tried to help her too much and disturbed her instead,” he said
“I should have trusted her quality and maybe she’d have jumped it better.”
Philipp and Henrik all went clear on all three of the other horses in the initial rounds
Maikel was last to jump Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest and the first to go clear on the horse
He was also clear on his own Lalique and on Philipp’s Cupido 130
scuppered his chances when he had eight faults
knocking the upright out of the double at 4b and the final fence
Henrik said: “She’s not an easy horse in that you need to know her a little bit
if you squeeze a little too much in the wrong moment
Maybe Maikel should have stayed upright a little more and not gone too early [with his body before the fences]
You have to do it with your seat and body as she’s very sensitive to your legs and hand.”
Both Cupido 130 and Lalique jumped clear with every rider and they were awarded best horse sashes
Willem said: “I think it was unbelievable publicity for our unbelievable sport
Harrie and Jeroen did an amazing job to give some insight
but in a way that not only professionals can understand
but also people at home in the living room
so they could really get interested in how beautiful but also difficult our sport is
“I think we’ve seen four great horses tonight with four great horsemen and this was unbelievable PR for our sport.”
the 2025-edition of The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) hosts the first Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year
Seven of the current top ten in the world will be competing in Den Bosch
Richard Vogel (GER) and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) all on the entry list
They will be joined by Rolex Grand Slam live contender Harrie Smolders (NED) and last year's Rolex Grand Prix winner Willem Greve (NED)
as well as 2024 Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash who is the only rider ever to have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
The Dutch Masters announced a new addition to the program; a show class where four reigning jumping champions will be competing against each other on each other's horses
it was announced that the 2023 European Champion Steve Guerdat
the 2022 double World Champion Henrik von Eckermann
the 2024 Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk and the Dutch Champion Willem Greve would be part of the show class – which takes place on Thursday night
However, Christian Kukuk and Steve Guerdat have recently been replaced by the 2023 European vice champion Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and the 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Maikel van der Vleuten (NED)
Click here to check out the latest news and updates on the Iberian Showcase
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wtatennis.com will be running the 2024 Shot of the Year Showdown -- a bracket-style tournament in which you
can vote for your favorite points and ultimately the best of the season
consisting of 14 groups of eight points each
organized from the 51 Hologic WTA Tour tournaments of 2024
plus two "lucky losers" -- the second-placed points with the highest vote shares when the polls close -- will advance to two semifinals of eight points each on Dec
The top two points from each semifinal will advance to the grand final on Dec
We've selected 112 points from the past 12 months that brilliantly showcase the athleticism
Now it's up to you to select the best of the best
Group G comprises June's WTA 500 and WTA 250 grass-court tournaments in the United Kingdom
Tatjana Maria's victory over Emiliana Arango in the Nottingham first round is a hipster pick for the best match of 2024
set the tone for the 3 hours and 24 minutes of slicing
Former 's-Hertogenbosch champion Aleksandra Krunic turned the clock back to upset Jessica Pegula in this year's second round
It was full of stellar steals such as this point
in which Krunic finds a winning lob off a Pegula smash
seconds after doing the splits on the grass
Bianca Andreescu showcased some unbelievable defense against Naomi Osaka in the 's-Hertogenbosch quarterfinals
It's remarkable that the Canadian even got her racquet on either of Osaka's last two shots
let alone that she found a bullet backhand winner down the line off the final one
Both Yulia Putintseva and Elisabetta Cocciaretto were brick walls in this wonderfully entertaining rally in the Birmingham semifinals
It was going to take something special to get through either player's defenses
and Putintseva found it with her sharp forehand angle
Coco Gauff was sent scurrying up and down the court not once but twice as Ons Jabeur tried to weave her web in the Berlin quarterfinals
Testing Gauff's athleticism rarely pays off
and the American had the last laugh by flashing a backhand pass past Jabeur
Petra Martic spent most of this Eastbourne first-round exchange trying to blunt Katie Boulter's flat power with slices and variety
but ultimately needed a remarkable angle on her forehand passing shot to get past the Briton
"One of the best defensive lobs you are going to see all week," declared the commentator of Diana Shnaider's lunge in the Bad Homburg quarterfinals that took her completely off screen
But the eventual champion nailed the shot against a disbelieving Paula Badosa
then crunched a forehand winner to back it up
Donna Vekic was run ragged by Viktoriya Tomova in the Bad Homburg semifinals
but the Croatian showed immense grit not just to stay in the point but then to track down the Bulgarian's drop shot and hammer a forehand winner on the line
Netherlands -- Naomi Osaka advanced to her second quarterfinal of the season and first on grass courts since 2018 after defeating The Netherlands' Suzan Lamens 6-2
6-2 in the second round of the Libema Open
Coming off an outstanding opening-round win over Elise Mertens
Osaka continued her confident start to the grass season to blow past Lamens in 54 minutes
Osaka landed nine aces and did not face a break point in the match
She finished with 21 winners to 13 unforced errors
converting four of five break-point opportunities
I think grass may be more physical than clay for me," Osaka said
once you're in the corner you have to have the strength to get out of the corner of the point is basically over with
Osaka's victory sets up a marquee quarterfinal match-up against Bianca Andreescu
Friday's showdown will pit the 2018 US Open champion against the 2019 US Open champion in just the second career meeting between the two
It will be Osaka's first quarterfinal since the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in February and her first on grass since 2018 Nottingham
Osaka won the only prior meeting against Andreescu
which came in the 2019 China Open quarterfinals
Reigning Australian Open champion Osaka came from a set down to win 5-7
6-4 to end the reigning US Open champion's 17-match win streak
who had picked up her first major title at Roland Garros that year
"It feels really cool that we're playing again this year
I know we're both trying to come back and we're almost kind of back
who's really fun to play against because she can change anything in the match
In just her second tournament back from a nine-month injury layoff
Andreescu has advanced to her first Hologic WTA Tour quarterfinal in over a year and first on grass since 2022
Andreescu eased past Yuan Yue in straight sets on Wednesday to set her upcoming meeting with Osaka
but we won at a very young age and then had a break here and a break there
And also being role models because we didn't have a linear career like
"Hopefully that motivates and inspires other people too
We can show that we're also happy when we're not winning
but then there's this whole other life that we can discover
I feel like we're both at that level and it's nice to see."
A victory over Andreescu would put Osaka into her first semifinal of the season and on the verge of a return to the Top 100
It would be a big boost of confidence for the four-time major champion
who played one of the best matches of her career at Roland Garros two weeks ago
where she had match point on eventual champion Iga Swiatek
Her ability to channel her best tennis when facing other major champions has been a competitive hallmark of her career
She's hoping that instinct comes through against Andreescu
"I definitely think matches like that help my growth a lot," Osaka said
"It's really weird because I reflect on the Iga match and
it's kind of crazy because I'm not sure I knew that I could play at that level
but I guess I needed that specific occasion to bring it out
matches like these against Bianca are what I love
and hopefully it makes everyone else as excited."