Edited press release from EEF

The Dutch team gave their home crowd a reason to celebrate after beating Canada in the jump-off at Peelbergen (NED), in what was the first qualifier for the Western region of the Longines EEF Series. 

Just the two nations from the thirteen at start came forward to jump-off after finishing on a zero score after the first two rounds. Ireland and Spain ended up in third and fourth respectively in this CSIO3* 1.45m competition, which produced another thrilling afternoon of jumping action.

Three of the four Dutch riders produced double clears over the two rounds and it was decided that Michael Greeve and Denver (Diarado x Quantum) would jump-off for the Dutch team. The 42-year-old Greeve went out first to put in a lightning quick clear to set the standard. Partnering his own and Trelawny Farm’s nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding Denver, he scorched around in a time of 32.05. That put pressure on Canada’s elected pair Kyle Timm and Casino Calvin (Casino Berlin Old x Calvin) but after a rail, the victory belonged to the Netherlands. 

Speaking after his round Greeve said: "My horse felt great both rounds, so I had good confidence going into the jump-off. The lines were good, long lines and short turns which he's good at, so I was very comfortable going in to put pressure on Canada.”

Next to Greeve, the Dutch team included Lars Kersten and Chuck Marienshof Z (Colestus x Emerald), Henk Fredericks and Impian D (VDL Bubalu x Lux Z), and Mathias van Asten aboard Sirocco (Balou du Rouet x Guidam) – with the latter two jumping double clears.

Frederiks was delighted with the consistent performance of his Dutch bred stallion Impian D, owned by H.L Van Doorn. The pair were regulars in the Longines EEF Series last year and have come back with the same show of form.  "I was very happy to be here with such a strong team, three amazing riders. I'm really happy with my horse, he jumped brilliantly."

In addition to Kyle Timm and Casino Calvin, the second placed Canadian team – lead by Chef d'Equipe Gail Greenough – consisted of Kara Chad and Quidamo F (Quality x Chameur), Elizabeth Bates and Heartbeat W (Baloubet du Rouet x Heartbreaker), as well as Lea Rucker and Macarena 42 (Monte Bellini x Saccor). Completing the podium in third was the Irish squad of Richard Howley and Zodiak du Buisson Z (VDL Zirocco Blue x Dutch Capitol Z), Jessica Burke and Express Trend (Future Trend x Condios),  Michael G Duffy and Clitschko 17 (Christian x Check In) as well as Daniel Coyle aboard Incredible (Clinton x Heartbreaker), led by Chef d'Equipe Michael Blake. 

The Longines EEF Series offers two qualifiers for each of the four regions – South, North, Central and West – with the semi finals held in Budapest (HUN) and Deauville (FRA) and the final held in the Polish capital Warsaw on 8 September. The Longines EEF Series will now continue to Athens, Greece, for the second qualifier for region south on Sunday 2nd June.