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The 14-year-old stallion Grand Slam VDL (born Lucky Won van het Bevrydhof, VDL Cardento 933 x Heartbreaker – bred by Frans Kenins) has moved from Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli to Dutch rider Jur Vrieling.

Produced as a youngster by Axel David Gill (GBR), Grand Slam has for the last five years competed with Modolo Zanotelli in the saddle. Last year, the two placed fifth in the CSI5*-W 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in Helsinki (FIN), while in 2023 they were part of the winning Brazilian team in the CSIO5* 1.60m Barrière Nations Cup in La Baule (FRA) as well as placing second in the CSI5*-W 1.60m Audi Grand Prix in Bordeaux (FRA). 

The two made their last international appearance together at CSI5* Saut Hermès in Paris (FRA) this March, while Vrieling this past week took Grand Slam to the GC Playoffs in Prague after two starts at two-star level. 

“My stable is close to VDL, where Grand Slam was staying for breeding, so it was convenient for everyone included that I would compete him,” Vrieling shared with World of Showjumping. “I took him to Lier to get to know him a little bit before Prague. Of course, it would have been better if Prague was a month or so later, but Grand Slam is such an experienced horse – he has been produced beautifully by Marlon, and I had a great feeling with him from the start, so I took him with.”

“I am looking forward to getting to know him better. He is a great horse, and also his offspring look very promising. The 9-year-old Lyandro MBD, for example, has been jumping impressive in Prague with Thibault Philippaerts."

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