Highlights from The Dutch Masters 2023, part one

After three years filled with Covid-19 and EHV-1 restrictions, The Dutch Masters returned with a bang for its 2023-edition. On Saturday and Sunday, it was so full that you could hardly move in the Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch and as usual the crowd enjoyed the traditional Van Schijndel Bouwgroep Indoor Derby – a special competition where the horses and riders race through the corridor, out to the warm-up, and back into the main ring, while trying to keep the jumps up.

Here, we take a look back at some of the many highlights from The Dutch Masters – one of the most beautiful indoor shows in the international calendar.

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.

A full house for the Van Schijndel Bouwgroep Indoor Derby.

The Dutch Masters was host to the first Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Scott Brash is the only rider to have won three Majors in a row and the Grand Slam Trophy, here he is with his promising 9-year-old Hello Valentino that really impressed in Den Bosch.

All the feels: Piet Raijmakers Jr. and Van Schijndel's Gladstone, double clear in Friday's 1.55m VDL Groep Prize.

It's all in the details...

Hoopla! How about this shortcut?

In Saturday night's Audi Prize, it looked as if Victor Bettendorf's time would be impossible to beat but Max Kühner found an extra gear on Up Too Jacco Blue and raced to the win – more than a second faster!

Victor Bettendorf and Astuce de la Roque were too fast for the photographer in the Audi Prize.

Looks like Jeroen Dubbeldam has found himself a new super-star in the 10-year-old stallion Investment. The pair finished 4th in the Audi Prize after two impressive clear rounds.