Rotterdam, the Netherlands—June 23
“Everything went as I had hoped,” said the Dutch chef d’equipe John Rockx after his riders vaulted the team from the Netherlands into the lead in the CDIO Nations Cup at Rotterdam with their Grand Prix scores.
The Dutta Corp. U.S. team sits in second on 226.92, behind the Netherlands, who lead on a total of 231.58. Thursday’s Grand Prix was the first of two days of Nations Cup competition; the event concludes on June 25 with two members of each team competing in the Grand Prix Special and two members in the Grand Prix freestyle.
Laura Graves and Verdades led the U.S. team into second place standing in the Rotterdam Nations Cup with a score of 76.30 percent in the Grand Prix. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Hans-Peter Minderhoud led the Dutch charge with a score of 79.24 percent aboard Glock’s Johnson TN N.O.P. Diederik van Silfhout followed up with a 76.24 percent on Arlando N.O.P., while veteran Adelinde Cornilessen brought out Jerich Parzival for the third counting score (76.14%).
Hans-Peter Minderhoud on Glock’s Johnson TN N.O.P., winning the Grand Prix and leading the Dutch to the lead in the Nations Cup at Rotterdam. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
The judges put Minderhoud with Glock’s Johnson TN in front in the Grand Prix unanimously with a magnificent score of almost 80 percent, which helped put the Dutch ahead of the pack. “Johnson had not been in the ring for a while, but he was really good,” Rockx said. “Diederik was super and the piaffe and passage of Arlando were superb.
Parzival also was solid with Cornilessen though he’s only shown rarely in the last 12 months. Siro and Danielle [Heijkoop] had some tension, making the score which was lower than hoped for.” Heijkoop and Siro were the drop score with 70.78 percent.
Adelinde Cornelissen on Jerich Parzival. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
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“It is indeed a long time ago that Johnson has completed a test,” agreed Minderhoud. “His last show was the European Championships in Aachen [in August]. Then Johnson has had quite a while off and he was used for breeding. Just before Amsterdam he injured himself. So it was a long time since he’s been with, but he did very well. He was focused on me and tried very hard. There is still some fine-tuning needed, but we still have a few weeks [before the Olympic Games] and that is definitely good.”
Just behind Minderhoud in the scores—taking second place in the Grand Prix and leading the U.S. team to their second place—was U.S. star Laura Graves on her Verdades. She scored a 76.30 percent on “Diddy.”
Laura Graves on Verdades. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 were right on Graves’ heels with a score of 76.04 percent, which earned them fifth individually.
Legolas 92 and Steffen Peters perform their signature piaffe. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet were the third counting score for the U.S. team (74.58%).
Kasey-Perry-Glass on Goerklintgaards Dublet. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Shelly Francis and Doktor were the pathfinders for the U.S. team and scored 70.68 percent.
Shelly Francis on Doktor. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
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On Saturday, Graves and Perry-Glass will contest the Special, while Francis and Peters will represent the United States in the freestyle.
The U.S. supporters cheering on one of the riders. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Laura Graves waving to the crowd after her Grand Prix test on Verdades. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Steffen Peters and Legolas 92. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Juliette Ramel and Buriel K.H. scored a 73.88 percent to help the Swedish team move into third place in the Nations Cup. Photo by Shannon Brinkman