Hans-Dieter Dreher’s 17-year-old Embassy II (Escudo I x Silvio I) is back in top form after being out for almost a year. Doing his first big class after a long break, Embassy delivered the only double clear of the class with the German rider in the saddle. 

“Embassy has only done one national show plus the show in Wiesbaden before Rotterdam, and this was his first big class back. He feels just as good as he did before his break,” Hansi said to WoSJ after his win with a huge smile on his face.

Eleven riders made it to the jump-off in the 1,55m Rabobank Championship of Rotterdam, but most of them had a struggle around the shortened course. Only three riders finished the jump-off on a score of four faults with Beezie Madden (USA) taking the runner-up position in 42,83 seconds riding Con Taggio (Contagio x Golliath Life), followed by Laura Klaphake (GER) with Bantou Balou (Balou du Rouet x Joker) in 43,67 seconds and Paola Amilibia (ESP) with Prunella d’Ariel (Diamant de Semilly x Laudanum) in 48,55 seconds.

Irma Karlsson (SWE) with Ida van de Bisschop (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Papillon Rouge) was the fastest rider in the jump-off, but with eight faults she had to settle for fifth place.