Fourteen horse-and-rider combinations guaranteed top-tier sport in the jump-off for the 1.55m VDL Groep Prize at The Dutch Masters. Ultimately, Bas Moerings secured a home victory for the Netherlands. Riding Ipsthar (by Denzel v't Meulenhof), the Dutchman jumped to the top spot in the Brabanthallen!
Moerings and his home-bred 13-year-old stallion, sired by Denzel v't Meulenhof, clocked a time of 38.91 seconds to claim the 1.55m win.
"I’m immensely proud of him," Moerings responded afterwards with a broad smile. "Ipsthar truly deserved this victory. I’ve learned everything alongside him, and he’s had to put up with a lot from me. But he never holds my mistakes against me and just keeps getting better. It’s all starting to fall into place, and today everything came together."
The pair finished more than two seconds ahead of Petronella Andersson and the 12-year-old BWP mare, Odina van Klapscheut (Landor S). Aided by the mare bred by Stoeterij Mivaro, the Swedish rider pushed Harrie Smolders and Monaco (Cassini II) into third place.
Belgian youth rider Thibeau Spits finished just outside the top three. Spits managed a clear jump-off round in the saddle of the 11-year-old Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z (Indoktro-K van 't Kattenheye).
As the fastest four-faulter, Kevin Staut rounded out the top five with the 10-year-old Vigo d'Arsouilles daughter, Vida Loca Z. Maikel van der Vleuten followed just behind in sixth place, securing his ranking aboard his reliable partner Beauville Z N.O.P. (Bustique).
