It was a nail-bitingly exciting jump-off with no less than 15 combinations competing for the Grand Prix of Rotterdam. The combinations after Houtzager simply couldn't match his time. Houtzager had won the title earlier in 2012. With this new victory, he couldn't contain his happiness. "Twelve years ago, I also won here, but that was quite a long time ago."
"Incredible that it worked out again now. My ride went exactly according to plan, but I did not expect this. When I looked up and saw the time on the screen, I couldn't believe that I was faster than Harrie. I knew that I couldn't have done better than this, so I would have been satisfied with a lower place. The rest are also a bit younger than me now. But we won, and that is fantastic. It's also very special because Dante is already 16 years old. We carefully choose which shows to compete in with her. I hope I can keep her fit for a few more years to continue competing. She did great here, in any case."
The German Christian Kukuk was pleased with how his horse Just Be Gentle performed in the ring. "She is an exceptionally good horse, very special. We started the jump-off very well, but we just made two extra gallop strides towards the oxer in the middle. If we had ridden a perfect jump-off, we might have had a chance to beat Marc's time, but it wasn't meant to be today. In any case, I am very satisfied with my horse and our performance here. I am very happy with this second place."
Harrie Smolders: "The jump-off didn't go entirely according to plan. At some point, we lost focus, and I took the turn a bit too wide, costing me an extra gallop stride. But even if I had ridden the perfect jump-off, I still wouldn't have beaten Marc. My horse performed very well here all week; he is in great shape. I am pleased with how we did today."
Source: CHIO.nl - F; © Nils Boeser
"Incredible that it worked out again now. My ride went exactly according to plan, but I did not expect this. When I looked up and saw the time on the screen, I couldn't believe that I was faster than Harrie. I knew that I couldn't have done better than this, so I would have been satisfied with a lower place. The rest are also a bit younger than me now. But we won, and that is fantastic. It's also very special because Dante is already 16 years old. We carefully choose which shows to compete in with her. I hope I can keep her fit for a few more years to continue competing. She did great here, in any case."
The German Christian Kukuk was pleased with how his horse Just Be Gentle performed in the ring. "She is an exceptionally good horse, very special. We started the jump-off very well, but we just made two extra gallop strides towards the oxer in the middle. If we had ridden a perfect jump-off, we might have had a chance to beat Marc's time, but it wasn't meant to be today. In any case, I am very satisfied with my horse and our performance here. I am very happy with this second place."
Harrie Smolders: "The jump-off didn't go entirely according to plan. At some point, we lost focus, and I took the turn a bit too wide, costing me an extra gallop stride. But even if I had ridden the perfect jump-off, I still wouldn't have beaten Marc. My horse performed very well here all week; he is in great shape. I am pleased with how we did today."
Source: CHIO.nl - F; © Nils Boeser