It was an unusual Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters with many surprises. The first one was the defending champion Daniel Deusser and his normally faultless jumping Tobago Z (by Tangelo vd Zuthoeve). The pair had drawn the ungrateful lot of having to enter the Rolex Grand Prix first. But on this day it was not to be with the renewed victory. After a first rather easy mistake at jump seven, a natural-coloured oxer, there was a serious rumble at the exit of the triple combination. After that, the rider, who was ranked eighth in the world, was visibly disappointed and did not continue the course.
Afterwards, there was an almost abundance of clear rounds. As many as 16 pairs managed to complete the course, which was designed by Louis Konickx, without any faults. The jump-off was also won by the World Cup winners from Leipzig, Gerrit Nieberg and his Blues d'Aveline CH (by Baloussini), Janne Meyer with her World Cup winner from La Coruna, Messi van't Ruytershof, and Marcus Ehning with his Priam du Roset (by Plot Blue).
However, the victory went to someone else. As in December in Geneva, McLain Ward with his 17-year-old mare HH Azur (by Thunder vd Zuuthoeve) once again had the right tactics, the right rhythm. He finished the jump-off course after 37.86 seconds and no one was to beat this time without a fault. The French rider Simon Delestre almost made it with his lively Cayman Jolly Jumper (by Hickstead), almost. The pair crossed the finish line after a faster 37.77 seconds, but the victory was lost at the last jump when the bar fell. Delestre slipped to tenth place.
Second place went to Julien Epaillard with Donatello d'Auge (by Jarnac). "My horse is only ten, so I didn't want to overdo it and didn't ride the last out," the Frenchman admitted afterwards. The third place finisher, World Champion Henrik von Eckermann with his King Edward, could actually have ridden faster as well. Could have... "I have no excuse. I could have been faster, but I wasn't. I simply have to ride better. It wasn't my horse's fault, he jumped great."
The winner was still a little dazed after his second consecutive Rolex Grand Prix triumph, which now earns him a bonus of 500,000 euros. "I'm kind of in shock. The mare is my queen, an absolute dream. To the last obstacle, like in Geneva, it was a bit wild and she saved me again. She is just unique."
In the summer he wants to tackle another title with "Annie" in Aachen. "As long as she stays fit and healthy, that's the plan," McLain Ward said.
The best German with one drop in the jump-off was Gerrit Nieberg with his Blues in eleventh place. Janne Meyer and Messi were twelfth after a fault in the jump-off. Marcus Ehning and Priam unfortunately lost two poles in the jump-off.
Course designer Louis Konicks had something to think about: "With 16 pairs in the jump-off, the course was probably too nice. I'll have to talk to the riders again."
