Highlights from the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix of Rotterdam 2025

Thumbs up! USA’s Karl Cook and the 13-year-old mare Caracole de La Roque (Zandor x Kannan) topped last Sunday’s CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix of Rotterdam, the Huawei Prize, after a lightning-fast jump-off.

In a jump-off of eight, Cook and Caracole posted the winning time when crossing the finish line in 37.17 seconds – leaving France's Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II) to the runner-up spot while Great Britain's Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette (Cornet Obolensky x Clearway) completed the podium in third.

With these photos, we take another look back at the action in Rotterdam!

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.

Sienna Charles and Chawton were second to go in the first round and also the first pair to deliver a clear round.

As third to go, Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Delta Del'isle could unfortunately not join Sienna Charles in the jump-off after a pole fell to the ground. Their time was still fast enough for an 11th place in the end.

Also Kevin Staut and Canbella Blue PS finished on four faults and had to settle for the 12th place.

It was Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque – as number six to go – that secured a jump-off after making light work of the demanding course.

Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Singclair cleared all the fences, but added two time penalties to their score and had to settle for the 9th place.

Aaron Vale and Styles recorded four faults and ended just outside the ribbons.

Despite eight penalties, a happy Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos thanked her wonderful Bibisi after their round.

Also Paola Amilibia was very happy with I'm A Star.

The cuddles continued when Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour – as number 17 to go – qualified for the jump-off.

To the delight of the home crowd, Hessel Hoekstra and Comthago VDL joined the jump-off.

And Hoekstra's joy was not to be missed.

Petronella Andersson and Odina van Klapscheut jumping into the triple combination on the last line – and it was this last line that caused the most problems in the Grand Prix. This pair solved all the questions asked though, and qualified for the jump-off.

Bas Moerings and Ipsthar were the next couple to join in on the jump-off.

Home heroes...

Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette were the seventh couple to join the jump-off.

Last to go in round one, Maikel van der Vleuten and O'Bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P. were also the last to qualify for the jump-off.

This made it three Dutch riders, two British, one French, one American and one Swedish rider qualified for the jump-off.

Jump-off

All smiles from Sienna Charles after a great jump-off in 40.89 seconds..

...and the team was quickly there to congratulate. In the end, her jump-off was good enough for a fourth place.

Both Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque made sure to follow Sienna Charles and Chawton while waiting for their turn.

Then they took off lightning fast, and crossed the finish line 37.17 seconds – a time that turned out to be impossible to beat.

The wonderful Caracole de La Roque gave her all in the jump-off.

At the in-gate, it was a happy trainer...

...Eric Navet congratulates Cook.

Of course the queen needs a crown!

Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque...

...got a thumbs up from Laura Kraut.

Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour gave it their best shot, but couldn't quite match the time of Cook and Caracole.

The trainers of the day: Eric Navet and Helena Stormanns.

What a few months it has been for Nina Mallevaey, the leader of the FEI U25 Rankings.

In this sport, it can go so fast from being the happiest to being disappointed. Hessel Hoekstra and Comthago VDL ended up in a bit of trouble in the jump-off and had to settle for sixth place.

Petronella Andersson and her trainer Helena Stormanns going over the jump-off course one last time.

Unfortunately, also Petronella Andersson and Odina van Klapscheut ended up with faults and finished right behind Hessel Hoekstra.

Bas Moerings and Ipsthar jumped to a fifth place after recording four faults in the jump-off.

Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette stretching over the last fence...

...to squeeze into the third position.

The two were 1.61 seconds behind the leading time...

...still a very happy Donald Whitaker leaving the arena.

Maikel van der Vleuten and O'Bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P. were last to go in the jump-off and with eight faults they fell down the ranks and had to settle for the eight place.