Last Friday, the Netherlands took a popular home win in the third leg of the 2025 Longines League of Nations™ series in Rotterdam – in front of an elated Dutch crowd.
After the first round, both the Dutch and French team were on five faults. However, with a shorter combined time, France earned the advantage of starting last in the second round. From the very first horse-and-rider combination to the anchor pairs, it was a fierce battle between the two teams for the top spot.
In the end, the home side claimed victory with a total of 10 faults, while France had to settle for second place after finishing on 13 penalties overall.
With these images, we follow the Dutch team on their road to victory.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Maikel van der Vleuten and the lovely Beauville Z N.O.P. were the pathfinders for the Dutch team.
Wout-Jan van der Schans – the Dutch chef d'equipe – and Eric van der Vleuten followed the action every step of the way.
Maikel and Beauville Z N.O.P. jumped one of only two double clears in the class.
Great start for the Dutch team!
Kim Emmen and Imagine N.O.P. had a single time fault in the first round after being 0.1 seconds over the time allowed. The second time around Emmen finished 0.6 seconds below the time allowed and could celebrate a clear round.
It sure looked good for the Dutch team as the second round got underway. However, the French were not far off, with Nina Mallevaey on Nikka vd Bisschop and Jeanne Sadran on Dexter de Kerglenn both delivering clear rounds.
With only three riders in the second round – and all scores counting – it was down to Harrie Smolders on Monaco and Kevin Staut with Visconti du Telman to decide the outcome. With Smolders finishing on five penalties, it looked as if the battle was over for the Dutch...
Serious faces in the Dutch camp when the win was seemingly slipping away.
It was now all up to Kevin Staut and Visconti du Telman. Everything below five faults would give France the win, five faults would mean jump-off. After an early fault, hopes were rising for the Dutch riders.
And when the second pole fell, the victory belonged to the Netherlands.
Wout-Jan van der Schans with Kim Emmen and Willem Greve.
It wouldn't be a Dutch celebration without a bike...
A happy Dutch team!
Willem Greve and Harrie Smolders celebrating the first ever Longines League of Nations™ win for the Dutch.
Hugs and cuddles all around.
Monaco and Beauville Z N.O.P.
Morgane Tresch and Monaco.
In team colours...
Richard Skillen and Alin Seidler.
We spy winners...
Maikel van der Vleuten's longtime-groom Alin Seidler and the wonderful Beauville Z.
Not second now! Monaco checking out the winner's ribbon.
Mandatory interviews for the winners...
...and lots of attention for the horses.
Alin Seidler and Beauville Z N.O.P..
Richard Skillen and Grandorado TN N.O.P..
Carlotta Costi and Imagine N.O.P..
The home heroes!
Here they are: the winning team of the Longines League of Nations™ in Rotterdam.
Thank you Beauville Z...
Harrie Smolders was busy cuddling both Beauville Z and Monaco.
Congratulations to the Dutch grooms Alin Seidler, Morgane Tresch, Richard Skillen and Carlotta Costi...
...as well as the horses and riders.
Hup Holland! Willem Greve had his hands full with Grandorado.
Then