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The 2023-edition of The Dutch Masters, host to the first Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, kicked off on Friday with a home win in the CSI5* 1.55m VDL Groep Prize. Some of the world's best horses and riders are present in Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch this weekend, and 38 pairs were at start in Friday's main class – where home hero Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P. took the top honours. 

First out in round one, Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Valentino (Diamantino x Careful 28) jumped a beautiful clear over the track set by Louis Konickx (NED). The two were instantly followed by Simon Delestre (FRA) and Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead x Quaprice Bois Margot), who secured a jump-off.

In the end, the two former world number ones were joined by Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) and Messi van'T Ruytershof (Plot Blue x For Pleasure), Andreas Schou (DEN) and Darc de Lux (Darco x Contender), Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leone Jei (Baltic VDL x Corland), Loewie Joppen (NED) and Havel van de Wolfsakker Z (Hos d'O x Bollvorm’S Libero H), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Dywis HH (Toulon x  Corofino II), Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Dynamix de Belheme (Snaike de Blondel x Cornet's Obolensky), Kevin Staut (FRA) and Visconti du Telman (Toulon x Dollar du Murier), Piet Raijmakers Jr. and Van Schijndel's Gladstone ( Grison van den Bisschop x Hemmingway), Willem Greve (NED) and Grandorado TN N.O.P. (Eldorado v. Zeshoek x Carolus II), Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Grand Slam VDL (Cardento 933 x Heartbreaker), Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and DM Jacqmotte (Toulon x Indoctro) as well as Harry Charles (GBR) aboard Casquo Blue (Chacco-Blue x Carthago Z). With Fuchs and Schou opting not to start in the jump-off, twelve remained to battle it out. 

And battle they did. It was Greve and his impressive Grandorado TN N.O.P. that were the quickest though, stopping the clock on 36.62, while Harry Charles and Casquo Blue had to settle for the runner-up position when they crossed the finish line in 37.93 as the last pair out. Kevin Staut and Visconti du Telman placed third in 38.32, while Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme finished fourth in 38.32 and van der Vleuten fifth in 40.22 aboard Dywis HH.

"I am very happy," Greve smiled. "Grandorado jumped super. I went for it, and I could take advantage of his big stride and he co-operated super. I am happy to win in front of a home crowd. The course in the first round was big but fair, it was doable. This is the second biggest class of this show, so it also should be serious," he said about the track. "I think we saw good sport."

"I have had him since he was three, and have produced him myself," Greve said about his special partnership with Grandorado TN N.O.P. "He is just a super horse. I had him at the Sunshine Tour n February and we worked hard there on his rideability and fitness, and he feels great now. I am looking forward to Sunday!"

Earlier in the evening, the CSI5* 1.45m Gemeente 's-Hertogenbosch Prize went to Julien Epaillard (FRA) – the current world number three – and Dubai du Cedre (Baloubet du Rouet x Diamant de Semilly).

With a time of 53.87, Epaillard took the win ahead of Leopold van Asten (NED) and VDL Groep Miss Untouchable (Chacco-Blue x Aldatus) in the runner-up position in 54.30. Simon Delestre (FRA) and Tinka's Hero Z (Tinka's Boy x Caretino) placed third in 55.72, while Piet Raijmakers Jr. (NED) and Van Schijndel's Olaya Z (Ogano Sitte x Concorde) finished fourth in 56.20 and Yuri Mansur (BRA) fifth in 57.85 aboard Cheyenne de la Violle (Nabab de Reve x Utah van Erpekom).

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