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Inside The Dutch Masters: Daniel Deusser wins the Rolex Grand Prix

Monday, 14 March 2022
CSI5* The Dutch Masters 2022

Daniel Deusser wins the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters and becomes the new Rolex Grand Slam live contender

Photo © The Dutch Masters / Remco Veurink Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z won the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters 2022. Photo © The Dutch Masters / Remco Veurink.

The Rolex Grand Slam dream was reignited for Germany’s Daniel Deusser on the final day of The Dutch Masters, as he claimed the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix title in the Netherlands to become the Rolex Grand Slam live contender once more. 

The course set by Louis Konickx saw a quality field of 12 horse and rider combinations master the first round without fault. Much to the delight of the sold-out crowd, a strong contingent of four Dutch riders reached the nine-obstacle jump-off, vying for a home victory. 

Cheers echoed around the arena as Harrie Smolders and Monaco were first to secure a double clear in a speedy time of 38.03 secs to take pole position and apply the early pressure. Jack Ansems followed suit, but was unable to shave any seconds off the leading time and slotted into second place. Smolders had a nail biting wait with 10 still to go, which included in-form Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. This formidable partnership made it look effortless taking 0.13 seconds off the time set by Smolders. Deusser’s time proved to be unbeatable despite the best efforts of Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Great Britain’s Scott Brash who both posted a quicker time but had four faults at the last fence. 

All eyes now turn to the second Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year, CHIO Aachen in Germany, where Daniel Deusser will not only be looking to defend is 2021 title, but will also be striving to continue his journey as the Rolex Grand Slam live contender. 

Congratulations! You looked very confident in the warm-up, did that course suit you and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z? 

Yes, I was feeling confident as the horse has felt in very good shape over the last couple weeks, but you still have to bring it on the day of course. Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z jumped very well in the first round, he felt really nice but we had a lot of competitors in the jump-off which always makes it harder and puts on a little bit more pressure. It made me think about what tactic I should play a bit more, I tried to do one less stride from the first to second, but I knew even when I had done my perfect round, that there were good riders to come and it could maybe be beaten. I was very lucky that the ones who tried to go faster had the last down and I am over the moon with this result. 

When you saw Harrie Smolders’ quick time, did that change your tactics at all? 

No, I didn’t think about that when I went into the ring. I had walked the jump-off before the class started and worked out my options. It all went to plan and was exactly how I wanted to ride it and it feels very good when it all works out!

You are now the Rolex Grand Slam live contender once again, how will prepare for CHIO Aachen? 

CHIO Aachen is still along way away. I will try to plan that I make sure I have one of my best horses in the right shape to perform in Aachen. I will continue to work with the horses, see how they develop and are performing and then I will make a decision who I take.

Crossed interview with: Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli

Photo © The Dutch Masters / Peggy Schröder Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli. Photo © The Dutch Masters / Peggy Schröder.

How does it feel to be here at the first Rolex Grand Slam Major of the year? 

Angelica: It is amazing to be here, it is very exciting. For me, it is the first time here and the fact that we can be here together is very special. It is going to be a great weekend I hope! 

Marlon: I am really looking forward to it, I had a great show here last year. My horse is feeling very good, so I am hoping to go well. It is very nice to be here together which makes it even more special and exciting to have two chances of winning! 

What are your dreams and ambitions for 2022? 

Angelica: I have a very exciting year ahead of me, I have some opportunities that I didn’t have before, like this weekend for example. To compete here at a Rolex Grand Slam Major is completely new for me. I have also qualified for the World Cup™ Final for the first time, so I am very much looking forward to that. 

Marlon: I am really looking forward to the Rolex Grand Slam events. Obviously, I really want to win one of the Majors, that is a huge aim for me. Last year I got very close, and it is definitely one of my dreams as a rider to win at least one, but hopefully more, hopefully three in a row! This year we have the World Championships, it is something that we look forward to, and to win a big championships has always been my aim as a rider. So yes, a very exciting year ahead hopefully!

Marlon - you have had some fantastic results recently what has attributed to your recent success?

Marlon: My success is definitely down to my entire team. The owners I am working with are very supportive, our entire team at home is amazing. I have been away for two weeks competing but we have some wonderful riders and grooms at home who have been taking care of the horses. Angelica has been riding Grand Slam VDL for me to get him ready for this show. So, this is the main reason I am having this success – it is down to the people I have around me and I am very grateful to have such a strong team behind me.

Meet the next gen with: Jack Ryan

Photo © The Dutch Masters / Peggy Schröder Jack Ryan. Photo © The Dutch Masters / Peggy Schröder.

You have had a great start to the year, what are your hopes and ambitions for 2022? 

I would like to keep the year going in the same way that it started! Hopefully, I will compete at a few more Nations Cup™ competitions and more Rolex Grand Slam Majors. 

Which horses do you have here this weekend? 

I just have BBS McGregor here. He is actually the only horse I have at the moment so hopefully he will perform well this weekend. 

What is he like, can you tell us about his personality? 

He has a great personality. Sometimes he can be a bit annoying as he always pokes your arm, but he is a very kind horse and lovely to have on the yard. 

How does it feel to be here at The Dutch Masters? 

It is fantastic! I would like to thank the Rolex Young Riders Academy and everyone who helped me get into the show. Everyone in the Rolex Young Riders Academy have helped me so much. Frank Kemperman, Eleonora Ottaviani, Emile Hendrix and the whole team have been so amazing to me! 

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your career? 

Marcus Ehning – he is one of the best in the world and is so amazing to watch. Last week when he won the Grand Prix in Doha, he made it look like it was a training round – he is incredible. 

What is a typical day for you at home? 

Recently, I moved to Jos Lansink’s stables to train there. That opportunity came about through the Rolex Young Riders Academy. Usually, I start at 07:30am and ride BBS McGregor, and the rest of the day I ride Jos’ horses. I have only been there a week, but I am riding so many different horses, it has been great and so nice to get to know the whole team. 

 


 

About the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1million bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is €500,000 or if an athlete wins only 2 majors in a period of four successive shows, the bonus is €250,000.



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