The CSI5* Indoor Derby at The Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch delivered an entertaining and technical contest over 1m40. The special derby course, combining traditional obstacles with flowing lines and a fast pace, required riders to balance speed with control. In front of the home crowd, the class produced a strong Dutch performance with multiple riders finishing inside the top positions.
Dutch rider Henk van de Pol secured the victory with a confident round aboard No Fathers Girl (Verde Gaio). The pair delivered the fastest clear performance of the class, crossing the finish line in 79.93 seconds to take the win in the CSI5* Indoor Derby.
After his victory, Henk van de Pol reacted: “For an event like the Indoor Derby you need a specialist, and No Fathers Girl is the perfect example of that. It’s fantastic to win here at The Dutch Masters for the third time, especially because I’ve done it with three different horses. Although No Fathers Girl isn’t a horse for the Grand Prix classes, she is extremely strong in the 1.40m and 1.45m classes — and in the Derby. As someone from Eindhoven, this show really feels like a home event; the way the crowd here supports every rider makes it even more special.”
The second place also stayed in Dutch hands thanks to Bas Moerings. Riding Nunblisther (Vigo d'Arsouilles), he produced another faultless round and stopped the clock in 81.09 seconds, confirming his excellent form after winning the 1m55 class the day before with Ipsthar.
Great Britain’s Claudia Moore completed the podium. In the saddle of Lover Boy Svo (Elvis ter Putte), she kept all the rails in place and finished in 83.44 seconds to secure third place.
On the fourth place, another Dutch combination followed. Hessel Hoekstra guided Stargos VDL (Stakkato Gold) through the demanding derby track and finished with three penalties in a time of 83.86 seconds, earning fourth place.
The top five was rounded out by Belgium’s Annelies Vorsselmans. Riding No Cider TD (Insider), she delivered a solid performance through the challenging course, finishing with three penalties in 86.31 seconds.
