The 69
th edition of CHIO Rotterdam was an excellent one for the Swedish showjumping team. After their victory in the FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines last Friday, Peder Fredricson today won the Longines Grand Prix Port of Rotterdam with H&M All In.
In a jump-off thriller featuring eight riders, Fredricson was fifth to start and clocked a very fast time of 40.15 seconds. The three riders who followed took all the risks they could manage to steal first place. Irishman Kenny Darragh managed to clock an even faster time, but got 4 penalty points on the last obstacle. His countryman rode to a faultless second place with 11-year-old gelding Good Luck. Dutch rider Marc Houtzager finished third with Sterrehof’s Calimero.
Course designer Louis Konickx had provided the competitors with a challenging course, of which obstacle 6 tripped up many of them. The crowd was on the edge of their seats during the jump-off, passionately rooting for home riders Marc Houtzagers and Harrie Smolders.
Peder Fredericsson was happy with his victory and was impressed by the new All Weather-footing in both the Rotterdam Piste and the new Dura Vermeer training arena.
Not the first compliment President Belle de Bruin has been given about the various improvements CHIO Rotterdam has made this year: “Of course we’re very happy to hear that people appreciate it. We have also received numerous suggestions to help us improve even more. We want to remain among the best events in the world, so we’ll get on that straight away.”
The past four days have offered a wide variety of dressage and jumping action. Aside from the sports, CHIO Rotterdam has hosted numerous hospitality events on each day, a number of conferences, entertainment for our youngest visitors during the Kids’ Morning and in the Kids Village, shopping fun on the grounds, the promenade and the Stroodorp and of course many other priceless encounters.
The 70
th edition of CHIO Rotterdam will take place 21 – 24 June 2018.
source: chio.nl