Maastricht, The Netherlands – November 06, 2022 – The 2022 edition of the Jumping Indoor Maastricht CSI 4* came to an end on Sunday and it was a familiar couple to the winner’s circle who stole the spotlight. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Elwikke put the icing on the cake, claiming the win in the €100,000 Grand Prix of Maastricht CSI 4*.
Thirty-eight combinations entered the arena for the 1.55 contest but only fourteen of them managed to clear all the obstacles and complete the first-round course designed by Quintin Maertens (NED) within the time allowed, thus advancing to the tiebreaker.
After having won the €40,000 VDL Groep Prijs CSI 4* two days before, Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and the the 2012 bay Royal Dutch Sport Horse / Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Quick Star) were dominant again, blazing past the competition in 42.10 seconds.
“Elwikke is a real fighter with incredible quality,” he said. The rider from Someren was by far the fastest in the jump-off, in which 14 combinations took part. Maikel’s father Eric completed the success in sixth place. Van der Vleuten senior was the second Dutchman in the final results.
Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Cous Cous 3 (Cachas x Lasino) were only surpassed by the eventual winners, finishing second backed by a clean scorecard and jump-off time of 43.70 seconds.
The third spot on the podium was conquered by a former winner at the event. Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) who had won back in 2017 with H&M Legend of Love, this time guide H&M Miro towards a third-place finish, registering no penalties while crossing the jump-off timers in 43.87 seconds.
Ten-year-old Elwikke is a mare with power and scope who is lightning fast thanks to her big canter. On Friday evening, they also won the main class at the Mecc. “It was a great week for me,” said the winner. “I had a few weeks with some lesser results. She gives me a lot of confidence to be able to take all the risks in the jump-off.”
That paid off for Van der Vleuten with 33,000 euros as the top prize. It was the Elwikke’s first victory in a four-star Grand Prix.
Final Results – €100,000 Grand Prix of Maastricht CSI 4*
1) Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) & Elwikke – 0 / 0 – 42.10
2) Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) & Cous Cous 3 – 0 / 0 – 43.70
3) Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) & H&M Miro – 0 / 0 – 43.82
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.
Source Interview: KNHS
Photos: © Jumping Indoor Maastricht / Digishots
Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News Nederland
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