After a twelve-horse jump-off, Smit-Hoekstra cleared her way to victory aboard Duco Z (Dakar TN). Following her win, she was clearly delighted with the performance.

"I am very happy with this. I had a great round and I’m super proud of my horse, who actually finds it quite exciting here. When I entered the arena, he managed to park that tension and find his focus. That feeling of everything coming together again... it’s been a while since we had that," Smit-Hoekstra shared.

Regarding the jump-off, she explained the importance of sticking to her plan: "I know he is very fast in the jump-off, but I have to be careful not to want too much and over-ride him. He handled it fantastically today, so it was pure enjoyment."

The victory held extra emotional value due to the presence of her family. "It was wonderful that the children were still there. They were actually supposed to go home already, but because it got so late, they stayed. That made the moment even more special."

A journey of "all or nothing"

Speaking about Duco Z, she noted they have been a team since he was four years old, describing him as an "all or nothing" type of horse. "He wants to do well so badly, but sometimes he gets ahead of himself. I feel like I’m better able to help him now. By giving him a moment of peace on the ground during tense moments, he can breathe and feel safe. Once I mount and enter the ring, he’s always good to go."

The Zangersheide gelding, bred by Van den Berg, finished just a few tenths of a second ahead of Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and the 12-year-old SF gelding, Tipperary (Arko III). Michael Greeve completed the Dutch success in third place.

Greeve took the third spot in the irons of Martin Fuchs’ former ace, Commissar Pezi (Commissario). The duo was narrowly faster than local talent Seppe Wouters, who continued his strong form following a dominant Friday. Aboard the 9-year-old Cicero Z mare, Honolulu des Forets, the Belgian rider relegated Willem Greve to fifth place.

Greve rounded out the top five with the 11-year-old mare, Candy Luck Z (Comme Il Faut).

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