Nations Cup victory, freestyle record and double penalty-free rounds in Rotterdam

One of the most important Nations Cup tournaments of the Furusiyya Nations Cup™ series took place over the weekend from 18th till 21st of June, 2015. Every year, the CHIO Rotterdam (NED) at Kralingse Bos is history in the making, because only nations from the first division are allowed to participate in this Nations Cup, which entails top-class sport with corresponding competitors.

The GLOCK team was represented five times. GLOCK Rider Gerco Schroeder reinforced the Dutch show-jumping team with GLOCK’s Cognac Champblanc. The two GLOCK Riders Hans Peter Minderhoud and Edward Gal were called into the Dutch dressage team with GLOCK’s Johnson TN and GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P. and shone in the CDI3* tests with GLOCK’s Flirt and GLOCK’s Voice.

Nations Cup victory!
For Hans Peter and Eddie, the top-notch Nations Cup event kicked-off excellently because, as early as Thursday, they had achieved second and third places with GLOCK’s Johnson TN and GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P. in the CDIO5* Grand Prix with marks of more than 76%. GLOCK’s Voice and GLOCK’s Flirt also appeared at their best in the CDI3* test, which also took place. With 77.800%  the magnificent winners in the CDI3* Grand Prix on Friday (June 19th) were Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Voice. An outstanding 77.140% took Hans Peter Minderhoud and GLOCK’s Flirt to the second place, which meant another double victory for the GLOCK team.

Both Edward on GLOCK’s Voice (81.650%), and Hans Peter with GLOCK’s Flirt (80.450% ) received dream marks on Saturday (June 20th) too in the CDI3* freestyle, allowing Eddie to celebrate his second victory on ‘Voici’ and Hans Peter again to take second place with ‘Flirty’ in this CDI3* tour.

Major suspense then on Saturday evening because, in the CDIO5* Grand Prix freestyle, it was not only about personal success but also about gold in the Furusiyya Nations Cup™ Dressage. Hans Peter Minderhoud presented the KWPN stallion GLOCK’s Johnson TN extraordinarily well. With 81.050% the GLOCK duo not only achieved second place in the freestyle, but also the best mark to date in a joint musical freestyle! Edward Gal’s performance on GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P. reflected his outstanding sensitivity and top-class riding skill. In the freestyle, the son of Ferro showed his ‘fiery’ side but Edward encouraged tranquillity and peace in him, achieving third place with 77.900%. Thus another title victory was secured for the Dutch team in the Furusiyya Nations Cup™ Dressage.

 
Double penalty-free rounds for the dream team of Gerco and ‘Cognac’
GLOCK rider Gerco Schroeder and his brilliant partner GLOCK´s Cognac Champblanc also participated for The Netherlands in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam. Only four duos pulled off the trick of remaining penalty-free in the two technically challenging rounds over 1.60 metres of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by Longines. One of them was Gerco and GLOCK´s Cognac Champblanc. The 12-year-old Holstein gelding, under his congenial rider, charmed the local audience with a top-notch jumping performance, thus delivering the best result within his team.
 
For all results from Rotterdam go to
Information on CHIO Rotterdam www.chio.nl

GLOCK rider Hans Peter Minderhoud and GLOCK’s Johnson TN arrived safely in Rotterdam. © GHPC

First training. GLOCK rider Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Voice © GHPC

GLOCK’s Johnson TN enjoys his breakfast. © GHPC

Edward Gal and GLOCK's Undercover N.O.P. in extended canter. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Eddie with 'Fritsie' and GLOCK Groom Vanessa a moment before entering the main arena. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Edward happily receives his fans’ applause in Rotterdam! © Arnd Bronkhorst

Two starts and two victories! Eddie and GLOCK's Voice are a fantastic team. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud and GLOCK's Flirt in extended canter. © Arnd Bronkhorst

GLOCK rider Hans Peter Minderhoud performed a successful CDIO5* freestyle with GLOCK's Johnson TN, earning best marks. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter greets 'his' audience, which rewards him and GLOCK's Johnson TN with thunderous applause for the great freestyle. © Arnd Bronkhorst

“‘Fritsie’ isn’t just a horse or four-legged superstar. He’s a friend”, says Eddie about GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P. © GHPC

Gold for the Dutch dressage team, here waiting to enter for the award ceremony. © GHPC

The Netherlands team wins gold in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam and is cheered at the award ceremony. © Arnd Bronkhorst

They are a true dream team over the highest jumps and the most challenging courses: GLOCK rider Gerco Schroeder and GLOCK's Cognac Champblanc. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Gerco and 'Cognac' are one of only four duos to achieve two penalty-free rounds in the Nations Cup. © Arnd Bronkhorst

GLOCK groom ‘Lulu’ and her darling GLOCK’s Cognac Champblanc. © FEI

‘Bad hair day’ for ‘Flirty’ ;-) © GHPC

Off back home! Edward steering the GLOCK truck. © GHPC