Rotterdam CDI 4* Grand Prix: Marieke van der Putten & Zantana untouchable

When you think of Rotterdam, you think of the Nations Cup or the European Championships... However, for the first time since 2007, Rotterdam is hosting an international competition this year without team competition. This hasn't deterred the riders, who have turned out in force, starting with the Dutch, of course, and the Belgians. Twenty-four horse and rider combinations took part in the Grand Prix this morning.

Fresh off their Dutch Championship win, Marieke van der Putten and Zantana continue to solidify their status as leading figures in Dutch dressage. Today, just as they did at Exloo a month and a half ago, they were victorious. Despite a slightly gradual first halt and some small tension in the halt/rein back, the 12-year-old daughter of Zonik delivered two very active and elastic trot half-passes, piaffes with pronounced lowered haunches, uphill tendancy flying changes, and a slight loss of balance at the end of her final extended trot. However, this didn't seem to worry them, as they were scored 77.957%, a new personal best in the CDI Grand Prix.

In second place were none other than Becky Moody and Jagerbomb. The British pair showed a clean and consistent performance, with their usual strengths, but made some mistakes in the one time flying changes, limiting their score to 75.282%.

The podium for this Grand Prix was completed by a pair on the rise who have almost certainly just earned their place at the World Championships in Aachen: Dinja van Liere and Mauro Turfhorst. The very talented 9-year-old stallion presented a transition from extended trot to passage that could have been smoother and cleaner, as well as some resistance to the leg aids at the canter start; a promising performance, certainly, but where the contact sometimes seemed a little too strong. Dinja van Liere and Mauro Turfhorst left the arena with a solid 75%.

Back to Rotterdam for Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard; a destination that clearly brings them consistent success. Fourth in the Grand Prix in 2023 and second in the Freestyle, fifth in the Grand Prix in 2024 with 73.674%, the Pamfou Dressage pair continued their winning streak, this time finishing fourth with 73.413%. A little slow to place all four feet in his halt before the rein back, the 15-year-old gelding resisted slightly and perhaps could have been a bit more active in his first piaffe. The KWPN also displayed two easy lines, effortless and tight pirouettes that justified seeing his rider all smiles even before his final halt. Next up were Marieke van der Putten & Kuvasz, 4th with 72.239%, and Wim Verwimp & Jedai de Massa, 5th, also with 72.239%.

Full results HERE