The winner Daniel Deusser had this to say about Cornet d’Amour’s build-up towards the Rolex Grand Prix; “Cornet had a couple of weeks off in December, to the end of January – I rode him then the first show again in Amsterdam. I jumped him two small classes there, and the week after two classes in Bordeaux and after that he had another two weeks off and he jumped his first Grand Prix again last week in Doha and was fourth there and now won here. Hopefully he stays like this!”

Daniel also commented on defending his World Cup title in Las Vegas in April; “This was my last show before the finals with Cornet, and it is probably the best motivation to go to Las Vegas now!”

Joking about his biggest challenge of the day; “Cornet is very, very fresh at the prize givings especially if he hears the music and the crowd cheering he gets a bit wild. He is quieter in the jump-off, so the prize giving is the hardest part for me.”

Michael Whitaker was laughing about his stomach feeling when it came to Daniel: “I always had a bad feeling about Daniel as last to go! His horse jumped good, and it was a top round – so I can’t complain!”

Michael on the amount of clear rounds; “Most of the best riders and horses in Europe are here – that’s why. It was a big course, but the horses jumped super today.”

Michael on where Daniel won it: “Daniel’s turn back to the third last fence after the double, he was very quick there and I think that is where he won it. He had an unbelievable turn there, and a good forward stride – that is where he did it.”

Third placed Scott Brash: “My horse jumped fantastic today, and I was really pleased with him. I think Michael did a fantastic round, and I did not think you could beat it actually – but Daniel did an amazing round to finish which was really good for the audience, it was top sport today.”

Scott on all the clears; “The best horses were here, and this showed. The track was big, maybe being very critical you could say it could be a touch more technical – but I think the course designer did a good job, it was just a really tough field of riders and horses today.”

Text (c) World of Showjumping.com