CHIO Rotterdam 2025: “An Edition Where Everything Came Together”

Sports Highlights: Goosebump Moments

For Lavooij, the sporting achievements of TeamNL stood out immediately. “Twice we heard the Dutch national anthem, twice TeamNL was on the podium during the Nations Cup competitions in both show jumping and dressage. The crowd was fully engaged, with the absolute goosebump moment being the standing ovation in a packed stadium during the Longines League of Nations™ prize-giving. Moments like that make CHIO Rotterdam truly special.”

Saturday night was another emotional highlight. “Hans Peter Minderhoud’s victory with GLOCK’s Taminiau in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music was magical—his final performance with this wonderful stallion. It was emotional but simply the perfect farewell.”

Atmosphere and Refreshment in the Kralingse Bos

It wasn’t just the sport that provided unforgettable moments, but also the unique atmosphere of the Kralingse Bos. “We are so fortunate with our location. The setting is special, and the Kralingse Bos and Kralingse Plas provided a refreshing environment for people and horses. The extreme heat that was forecast turned out to be less severe, but we had already taken extra precautions. Thanks to the natural shade and those measures, it remained pleasant for everyone.”

Focus on Young Talent

CHIO Rotterdam is well-known for its commitment to talent development, something Lavooij takes pride in. “The Dura Vermeer Arena again hosted a fantastic program, with a successful youth morning and many observation classes for dressage talents, who will compete at the European Championships this summer. Just last weekend, the U25 ladies took silver at the Europeans—a sign of excellent preparation.”

“Our investment in the future is also shown through the participation of talent teams from South Holland and Utrecht on Thursday. Young riders enjoyed unique behind-the-scenes experiences, media training, and close-up views of world-class dressage and jumping. And last but not least, the Young Prof Event on Friday continues to grow in popularity—this year it was fully booked in no time. It’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm from the next generation.”

Strong Start Without Prologue

A notable change this year was the absence of the usual Wednesday afternoon prologue. “We started straight away on Thursday morning with a major competition, the FEI Nations Cup Dressage, and it ran flawlessly. That shows the strength of our board, team, staff, and volunteers. CHIO Rotterdam is like a family where everyone knows their role and supports each other. It’s more than an event—it’s a shared spirit.”

Happy Sponsors and Special Guests

Sponsors and partners were equally enthusiastic. “Our hospitality was fully booked every day, and guests enjoyed spectacular sporting moments. For Huawei, our new sponsor of the Grand Prix of Rotterdam, it was a successful debut. Their guests had a great time, with exciting sport and wide media coverage.”

Lavooij also treasured the visits of special guests. “Welcoming Princess Beatrix during the Nations Cup is always a highlight. On Sunday, we were also joined by Rotterdam’s new mayor, Carola Schouten, and the King’s Commissioner Wouter Kolff. It’s wonderful to see the tradition of the mayor attending the Grand Prix continue.”

Celebrating the Anniversary of the Vrienden van het CHIO

Alongside world-class sport, CHIO Rotterdam once again offered a platform for networking and business connections. All business clubs—CHIO Port Club Rotterdam, CHIO Vastgoed Club, and Vrienden van het CHIO—actively networked and enjoyed the event. A special moment was the gathering of the Vrienden van het CHIO, celebrating their anniversary. There had been a jubilee reception earlier, but the traditional Vriendenlunch on opening day offered another wonderful opportunity to celebrate this milestone and the strong connections within the group.

Grooms Award Returns

A tradition especially dear to Carolien Lavooij is the Grooms Award. “When I first joined CHIO’s ceremony team, the Veer Palthe Voute Award was given to the groom of the winning horse,” she explains. “Sadly, the award disappeared about twenty years ago, but a few years ago, our family decided to revive it.” Since then, the Grooms Award has returned as a cherished tradition at CHIO Rotterdam. “Rightfully so,” Lavooij says. “Grooms are the unsung heroes behind every success in the arena. They work long, irregular hours, are always there for ‘their’ horse, and truly deserve this recognition.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

While Lavooij looks back with pride, her focus is already on the future. “It was a fantastic edition, where everything fell into place. The bar is set high, but together with our board and management team, we are determined to make CHIO Rotterdam 2026 just as unforgettable. With the extension of our contract with Rotterdam Topsport, we have a solid foundation. But there’s always room for improvement, and we’re eager to take on that challenge.”