Marc Houtzager beats Hendrik-Jan Schuttert in GP Salland

For a long time, it seemed like the GP in Salland had known is winner when local Hendrik Jan-Schuttert rode an almost unbeatable time with Balboa HS (Tygo). But eventually it was Marc Houtzager who took the victory with his mare Sterreho's Bylou. Martin Dinesen-Neergaard from Denmark ended on third place.

Before the class started the reigning World Champion Jeroen Dubbeldam explained during the public coursewalk that the riders had to jump a very hard round today. A lot of faults were made in the combinations. Eleven from 57 starters kept the wood untouched and were to battle it out in the jump-off.

Schuttert was the third rider to enter the ring and he rode a very fast round with his KWPN gelding. He crossed the finish line after 33,62 seconds. It seemed a clear win when top riders such as Maikel Van der Vleuten and Henrick von Eckermann didn't manage to beat Schutterts' time. But then Houtzager entered the ring... He rushed through the course and even found the time to slow down a bit in front of the last fence to find the right distance. The result? A clear round in 32,45 seconds.

The third place was for Martin Dinesen-Neergaard. He rode Christoph Columbus (Carisma) in 34,79 seconds to the third spot on the podium.

Click here for the results