Text © World of Showjumping

The 2023-edition of Jumping Indoor Maastricht kicked off on Friday with a home win for the hosts, as Frank Schuttert (NED) and Gream (Verdi TN x Ultimo, bred by A.P. van Dijck) took the win in the CSI4* 1.50m VDL Groep Prize. 

With a time of 31.72 in the jump-off between ten horse-and-rider-combinations, Schuttert and Gream were the quickest, with Harrie Smolders (NED) and Deesse de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago x Crusador, bred by EARL Alain Richard) having to settle for the runner-up spot when the clock stopped on 32.11 for the former world number one.

"It was a good class, with ten clears," Schuttert told World of Showjumping after his win. "The jump-off was not easy, with quite a few turns at the beginning and then the last line with an option of six or seven strides. My horse is naturally quick, so I chose the safe seven – and luckily, it was enough. Gream is an amazing horse, a real fighter. Two years ago, when I started working for myself and left the stables of Jos Lansink, he was one of the first horses we bought and he has turned out to be very competitive – I really love him." 

Thibault Philippaerts (BEL) and Jumper d'Oase (Cardento 933 x Vigo d'Arsouilles, bred by Fr. Kommers) placed third in 32.32, while Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Cornest (Balou du Reventon x Stakkatol, bred by Gestüt Lewitz/Paul Schockemöhle) finished fourth in 32.61, followed by Mathijs van Asten (NED) aboard Sirocco (Balou du Rouet x Guidam, bred by Sarah Williams) in fifth in 33.17.