The victory went to Kevin Jochems with Shanroe Peeters (Dallas VDL). The pair rode a solid first round and then pulled out all the stops in the jump-off. With a clear round in 42.38 seconds, no one managed to be faster. Kevin Jochems was visibly elated after his win, saying: “To be honest I didn't see anyone else’s jump off, I just asked Harrie [Smolders] what the possibilities were with the course. I did my best - and it was just enough!”

He went on to add, “I actually own this horse together with my best friend, we’ve had him since he was seven, so it is great to have this win together.” As for the home crowd? “The atmosphere is great, you can really feel it, and you can feel they want to win. It was special being last to go!”

Just fractions later came Willem Greve, who with Highway TN N.O.P. (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek TN) also stayed clear in 42.71 seconds, but narrowly missed out on the win. The podium was completed by Sanne Thijssen, who with Con Quidam RB (Quinar) clocked a time of 42.87 seconds, thereby securing the third Dutch top placing.

Fourth place went to Ireland, where Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights (Nabab de Rêve) finished clear in 43.82 seconds. The top five was rounded off by Bas Moerings, who with Kivinia (I’m Special de Muze) also stayed clear in 43.95 seconds, adding extra shine to the Dutch supremacy.

The crowd in Valkenswaard got their money’s worth: five clear jump-off rounds, the top three within half a second of each other, and a home nation that effortlessly left the international competition behind.

Results