The CSI4* Grand Prix of Maastricht delivered top-tier equestrian sport. The course was built to high standards. Following a 12-rider jump-off, the last starter, Leopold van Asten, jumped to victory. Riding VDL Groep Kwienbellie, the Dutchman snatched the win away from Gilles Thomas!
Twelve horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off of the CSI4* Grand Prix of Maastricht. "This was the first four-star Grand Prix for Cero Blue TN," Willem Greve commented after qualifying. "I'm really happy with how he jumped."
Midway through the jump-off, Greve took the lead aboard the eight-year-old son of Chacoon Blue. Shortly after, Belgium's Gilles Thomas took over the lead. In the saddle of Riesling van 't Roosakker (Comme Il Faut, breeder: Marc Kluskens), Thomas shaved a few tenths of a second off the time set by Greve and the stallion bred by Harm Thomaehlen.
Ultimately, the final rider to enter the ring, Leopold van Asten, jumped to victory. Van Asten piloted the KWPN mare VDL Groep Kwienbellie (Toulon, breeders: Y. Wetsels, E. Raeven) to victory in 35.70 seconds.
As the third-to-last starter, Ireland's Denis Lynch guided his BWP gelding, Ping Pong van de Lentamel (Emerald, breeder: Hulde Aan de Bok), into fourth place. The duo pushed Jos Verlooy and Renshaw van 't Meulenhof (Nixon van 't Meulenhof) down to fifth place.
Kevin Jochems also managed to complete the jump-off clear. Jochems jumped a clear round aboard Camilla van de Helle (L.b. Crumble) to finish in seventh place.
