Jumping rider Willem Greve won the Grand Prix of Rotterdam on Sunday with Highway. At the 74th CHIO in the Kralingse Bos, the rider from Markelo, the last starter in the jump-off, improved the time of Daniel Coyle, last year’s Irish winner, with a clear round. Kars Bonhof also remained clear with Hernandez and finished fourth.
“Everyone has their dreams and one of my dreams was to win this classic in my own country,” said Greve. “That dream has now come true. For me this is a day I will never forget. It is always special to win a five-star Grand Prix, but even more special if you succeed in your own country. The atmosphere was fantastic and I am very happy to be here as the winner. Highway is an incredible fighter. He really goes through fire for me. Sometimes that is a bit difficult to manage, but he gives everything.”
Third place went to Aurelien Leroy from France. Sanne Thijssen, the winner of 2021, came fifth this time with Hi There. Eleven combinations had qualified for the jump-off of the denouement of the Rotterdam horse festival, including six Dutchmen. Jur Vrieling was sixth on Fiumicino, Harrie Smolders seventh on Uricas and Kevin Jochems tenth on Cassilas.
Greve is the 2022 national champion. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he finished fourth with the Dutch team.
The Dutch show jumping riders already won the Nations Cup competition in Rotterdam on Friday. The winning team of national coach Jos Lansink consisted of Vrieling (Long John Silver), Leopold van Asten (Iron Z), Maikel van der Vleuten (O’Bailey) and Smolders (Monaco).
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