Maikel van der Vleuten fastest in the Longines Grand Prix (video)

The last class of Jumping Indoor Maastricht was the prestigious Longines Trophy.

The chronograph of the Conquest Classic collection was for Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Sapphire B (s. Mr. Blue). Eleven out of the forty competitors made it to the jump-off. Rider after rider sharpened the time, but no one could beat Maikel van der Vleuten. He made a turn no one thought was possible and it worked out for him. Maikel: “Beforehand I had discussed the turn to the right after the oxer with my father, but when I came into the arena it almost seemed too short. Fortune was on my side and everything fitted like a glove.”

The second place was for Simon Delestre and the 12-year-old Baloubet du Rouet-offspring Napoli du Ry. Simon: “I hadn't seen Maikel's jump-off, and even if I had, I still think I wouldn't have tried it. I'm very happy with my second place, because it has only been 1,5 month that Napoli is back on this level after his injury.”

Gert Jan Bruggink finished third with Primeval Dejavu. Gert Jan: “I had discussed the turn with Rob Ehrens (red. Dutch Chef d'Equipe) and decided not to do it, because I didn't think it was possible for my horse. But from this week on I will start practising it at home!”

The organisation looks back on a succesful return of the event on the international calendar and is already looking ahead to 2014. With almost 19.000 visitors, it is clear that also the visitors have found their way back to Maastricht.

Check the video clip of the Grand Prix presented by EQUIREPORT .