Willem Greve Gallops towards the “Highway of Victory” at the Gothenburg Horse Show

By Jumper News on 2024-02-26

Gothenburg, Sweden – February 24, 2024 – He had some of the world’s fastest riders behind him. Willem Greve (NED) rode as if his life depended on it and clinched the victory in the €164,880 Gothenburg Trophy CSI 5*-W. The win was a bit of a surprise for Greve personally, but according to compiled data, he was the rider with the greatest chance of winning. It’s all in the numbers – not in the stars.

The Gothenburg Trophy is one of the weekend’s most prestigious classes, where riders compete over obstacles at the 1.55-meter level. The evening featured a jump-off among eight riders, with Dutchman Willem Greve (NED) on his fantastic stallion Highway TN N.O.P. among the first to go.

“I had to put the pressure on the ones that were coming after me. I took risks, but not all the risk, like to the yellow GuldFynd oxer, I had one stride more. Because the two riders before me had both mistakes in that line. And I wanted to make sure, towards the combination, that I didn’t take all the risks. For the rest, I was a bit lucky on the second last vertical, luck was on my side tonight. Yuri Mansur with Vitiki was faster, but he had the last fence down. So, I’m happy it all came together tonight.”

The audience were very impressed with the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood – Royal Dutch Sport Horse (KWPN) stallion Highway TN N.O.P.

“He’s an unbelievable horse who also wants to be an unbelievable horse, an extreme fighter, extremely careful and very competitive. And if you see his track record, he’s still very young. Highway has been a winner all through his life. And last year, due to an injury on my other horse, Grandorado, Highway stepped up to be number one. He deserved a big victory. I’m very happy that the Grand Prix of Gothenburg is on his list, very proud.”

The riders after Willem made valiant attempts to be faster, but poles fell and the clock ticked. Peder Fredricson (SWE) on Alcapone des Camille came closest.

“First of all, I’m really happy with the way the horse Alcapone jumped today. He started a little bit off in the first round, didn’t jump great the first couple of fences in the first round, but then he got better and better. In the jump off, I thought he jumped very good. So, I’m happy the way we are developing together, because I know it’s a good horse and I’m really happy to have him in the stable.”

Kim Emmen (NED) was the last rider out in the jump-off. In order to secure third place, she had to make a clear round.

“ I am not so fast with my horse as Willem So, when I went in as last one for the jump off, for me the plan was to go for clear. I was still a bit lucky on the last fence. My horse jumped really good and I’m very happy with the result.

For next year I need to train more with Willem to be faster.”

Final Results – €164,880 Gothenburg Trophy CSI 5*-W presented by Guldfynd

1) Willem Greve (NED) & Highway TN N.O.P – 0 / 0 – 34.08

2) Peder Fredricson (SWE) & Alcapone des Carmille – 0 / 0 – 34.51

3) Kim Emmen (NED) & Inflame Go – 0 / 0 – 37.05

Full results

course map

Source: Press Release (edited) from the Gothenburg Horse Show