Wesley ter Harmsel wins the Van Lanschot Kempen Prize
The final day of CHIO Rotterdam 2026 kicked off with the 2* tour final over a height of 1.35m, the Van Lanschot Kempen Prize. It was an exciting class featuring a jump-off. The winner, who also claimed the very first 2* class of this CHIO, managed to repeat that performance today. Thirty-six riders started the class, twelve went clear, and he was the fastest of them all. Wesley ter Harmsel and the eight-year-old gelding Nacho A.N. (by Douglas) crossed the finish line in 29.45 seconds.
The top three were extremely close. Second place went to Brazil, with another rider who had already won a class earlier this week: Ricardo Correa Reinert and the nine-year-old mare Magda (by Harley) clocked a time of 29.70 seconds. Third place stayed in the Netherlands; Joep Schaap and the thirteen-year-old mare Cadeauminka (by Kannan) finished in 29.93 seconds. Joep certainly has talent in his genes; he is the nephew of TeamNL star Willem Greve.
One less stride
Wesley: "I had to start third in the jump-off. I started well from fence one to two. After the third fence, I lost some time, but in the final line, I was able to manage one less stride. I didn't see the riders after me, but it turned out to be enough. Nacho is ultimately intended for sale, but he has so much talent and potential that he deserves the time to develop further, so I hope he stays with me for a little while longer."
Joep Schaap
We also spoke with the other Dutch rider in the top three, Joep Schaap. Joep: "This is my first time here in Rotterdam, and I think it's fantastic to be able to compete here; the facility is truly beautiful. I owe this opportunity to Vincent Voorn, who told me through national coach Edwin Hoogenraat that there was still a spot available. I don't find it nerve-wracking to compete here, but I do think it's very special."
"I was the last starter in the jump-off, but unfortunately, I didn't quite get the forward distances I wanted a few times. If I had managed that, I could have won, but I'm very happy with this result too. I've been riding Cadeauminka for almost two years now. She is a super nice horse. She was out of action for four months due to a minor injury and has only just returned. She was third in the Grand Prix of Hagen, and now third here, so I'm very pleased. She belongs to my uncle, Willem Greve, and I'm very grateful that he provides me with such a good horse."
"Normally my mother takes care of my horses at shows, but she tore her cruciate ligament, so I have to do it myself now. That’s no hardship here in Rotterdam, because it means I stay on-site all day and can watch Willem and the other 5* riders."