Maastricht, The Netherlands – November 07, 2026 – In Saturday evening’s feature class, Katrin Eckermann (GER) was the undisputed fastest. The German rider steered her thirteen-year-old mare Chao Lee clear in 58.48 seconds in the €40,000 Van Mossel Automotive Prize CSI 4*, a 1.50m class against the clock. In the stands, her father Otmar Eckermann was beaming with pride: he bred the mare. “Fantastic,” he said with a big smile.
The course was tricky and really tested the strong field, Eckermann said afterwards: “It was a special course; many riders and horses struggled with it. I was glad to have such an experienced horse with me in Chao Lee. She showed once again how much quality she has.”
Family on the Sidelines
The win has a special touch for Eckermann. “There are three horses here in Maastricht that my father bred, and Chao Lee is one of them. That makes this win extra special, really cool. The whole family is here; they’re my biggest supporters.” It is her third time at JIM, but that was not a given. “At first I wasn’t on the list, so I’m grateful the organisers found a place for me. I think this is a really great show, for the horses and for the riders. We’re all really enjoying ourselves here.”
Dutch Trio Close Behind
Lars Kersten (NED) came very close to winning. With the nine-year-old stallion Dynamite Dillon Z, he went clear in 58.79 seconds, just three tenths behind Eckermann, and recorded the best Dutch result.
Harrie Smolders (NED) showed with the fourteen-year-old gelding Mr. Tac that the Maastricht arena still suits them well. A few years ago the pair won the Grand Prix here; tonight they finished third in 59.19 seconds.
Leopold van Asten (NED), winner of the 3W Prix last night, stayed in fast form. With the eleven-year-old mare VDL Groep Kiara, he finished fourth, just eight hundredths behind Smolders. Argentina’s José María Larocca rounded off the top five with the sixteen-year-old gelding Finn Lente.
Final Results – €40,000 Van Mossel Automotive Prize CSI 4*
1) Katrin Eckermann (GER) & Chao Lee – 0 – 58.48
2) Lars Kersten (NED) & Dynamite Dillon Z – 0 – 58.79
3) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Mr. Tac – 0 – 59.19
Source: News (edited) from Jumping Indoor Maastricht
Photo: © JIM / Digishots
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Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
