American show jumper Ella Duffy wins two star opener on Friday
Friday's competion at CHIO Rotterdam 2024 has begun. It's an entire day of showjumping action in the Rotterdam Arena. The two star riders were first up in the Breeland Prize, a 1.30m-competition against the clock. American Ella Duffy and Sea Coast Naturele van het Reigershof were the winners with a time of 60.09 seconds. Dutch rider Maud Agterberg and Athena Kervec placed second with a time of 60.29 seconds. Fellow Dutchman Daan Adems and Kate S came third in
61.04 seconds.
Ella Duffy was elated with her win: “It's my first time competing here in Rotterdam. I'm staying in Belgium with my trainer for three months and I heard there was an opportunity to enter the competition here, so I immediately took action. I knew Rotterdam to be a 5 star event and had read and seen a lot about it in the media. It's great here, very impressive. I've brought one of my horses, Sea Coast Naturele van het Reigershof, and she's very quick and very careful. We really understand each other. When I plan my ride along the course in my mind, she seems to sense it. In between the obstacles she's really fast as well, truly a great competitor."
Maud Agterberg was positively glowing after placing second. "I'm very happy. With my trainer I made a plan and in the course I managed to execute it. My horse is very quick by nature and I should do as little as possible to interfere in that. In the warm-up arena she was already nice and relaxed and in the arena she's there for me completely. This is my first time competing in Rotterdam and I was a bit nervous. It's not that I haven't competed at the big events before, but not in a place with the scale and atmosphere of CHIO Rotterdam. I was a little tense entering the arena because of that. We purchased Athena Athena Kervec from Leon Thijssen and I began competing with her in the 1,20m-class. A few weeks ago, we competed in the 1,40m-class for the first time and tomorrow we'll do that for the second time. I'm sure my horse will be there for me then as well."