Marieke van der Putten rules supreme in Grand Prix Freestyle, Becky Moody wins Grand Prix Special

Marieke van der Putten praised her mare Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. after their victory: "She was on fire today. It's so cool to feel that this energie more and more becomes something positive for us. That she doesn't get spooky because of it, but that she just gives more and more in the test. It's an amazing feeling."  

"It was busy in the stadium today, which gives a great atmosphere, but the horses of course feel it as well and see all the people when they enter. But quite quickly in the test, I felt she was with me again, and we've set a personal best here. Everything I always knew was in this horse, is coming out now. That's a fantastic feeling."

On top of the world

France's Correntin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard place second in the Grand Prix Freestyle, but Pottier in spite of not winning, Pottier was still in top of the world after his test, which scored 76.635 %. “How lucky are we as riders to be here? We are lucky with everyone at home doing all they do for us, with events like these hosting us, and with people coming to watch us ride. The arena in Rotterdam is beautiful, the people here are nice, and the audience is amazing. They are always clapping, are excited and really respond to what they see happening in front of them. What more could you possible want?"

"With Gotilas, I have participated in many championships, and we've had many milestones along the way. We're at a place now where it's all about enjoying ourselves. Gotilas felt that there were a lot of people here tonight, and it activates him. It makes him want to show off. The first part of our test was mostly about managing that joy and energy."

"But that's the advantage of having a partnership that has lasted as long as ours already has: we know each other through and through. Whenever he acts a bit impulsively, I don't worry about it. I know that a few steps later, he'll come back to me, and everything will be okay." 

Rowena Weggelaar completed the podium in the GP Freestyle. With Don Quichot, she scored 75.475 %. "Today was very special and I enjoyed it very much. I'm so proud of my horse and the journey we've had together. I have been riding him since the Juniors. I was quite happy with our test. We had a mistake in the extended trot, but I was very happy with the piaffe and passage." 

Only one thing to do: go!

Becky Moody was very pleased with her performance in the Grand Prix Special, scoring 77.575 %. “This is such a great location to compete in. The crowd was great and the atmosphere was electric, it’s very special. Jagerbomb reacts to it, and he was hot during the test, but in a good way. I hadn’t fully seen that coming, as he had been very laidback in the warm-up, so I had to adjust to the situation, but when he’s like this there’s only one thing to do: go!" 

"About 95 percent of our test went as I’d like it to, but we had some difficulties with the halt and the walk today, because he was so ‘on it’. But, on Thursday, I thought he wasn’t sharp enough in the test, so now I completely got what I asked for. He’s a terrific horse and I’m very happy with him.” 

Dinja van Liere was second in the Grand Prix Special. The Dutch rider scored 74.064 % with Mauro Turfhorst N.O.P.T. " I'm very happy with this result and I'm super proud of Mauro. He's still young and he has to get a bit stronger, but I'm very happy with his performance here. It's always cool to ride here in Rotterdam. The audience is fantastic, and the forest surrounding the location gives the event such a cosy vibe."