The Dutch show jumpers won silver on Friday in the Nations Cup at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark. As a result, the Netherlands qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The team of national coach Jos Lansink moved up two places in the standings on the third and final day. This was mainly thanks to Harrie Smolders who closed Monaco with a clear round with his horse. He also stayed in time.
The competition, on the other hand, made the necessary mistakes, especially the French team. In Germany rider Andre Thieme fell from his horse. The world title went to Sweden and the bronze went to Great Britain. Ireland finished fourth, ahead of Germany and France. All these countries are also allowed to go to the Games.
The Netherlands started the final day in fourth place, mainly thanks to a strong performance on the second day by Maikel van der Vleuten and Jur Vrieling. Both had remained clear on Thursday, where Sanne Thijssen and Smolders had a jumping error.
Van der Vleuten, who finished seventh individually after Thursday, had already completed a clear round with Beauville Z on the opening day. Initially, not Vrieling but Willem Greve would be part of the Dutch team, but just before the World Cup he broke his ankle and upper arm in a fall.