Show jumper Greve shines in winning country competition CHIO Rotterdam | sport

Gref made a big impression with his 14-year-old mare Zypria S NOP during the Nations Cup in Rotterdam. De Markeloër, in the race for an Olympic ticket to Tokyo, led a clear first round. During his second appearance, the group again left all the beams in the handles, but Greve had to take one penalty point to go over the time limit. He indicated on Friday evening in Rotterdam that Markelor was disappointed about it.

„In the second round, I had to curb something at the wall (3rd obstacle, editor) and then I thought I was going home safely. I rode it safely for the rest of the course. Flawless, yes, but it’s still a penalty. “That’s a shame,” Gref said.

However, there was great joy among the Dutch team, who eventually won the competition for their country. With only the fourth contestant emerging from the participating countries, the orange made his way from fifth to first place. Only Sweden managed to keep the Netherlands from the overall win, but the fourth rider dropped a bar on the sand.

Thus, the Netherlands finished the match with seven penalty points, two points less than Sweden. France was third with 12 penalty points. The United States slipped from first to seventh place with sixteen penalty points.

Gref was good with a total of one penalty point in two rounds. Maikel van der Vleuten’s performance was only the best. He rode two clear rounds with the Beauville Z. Mark Hotsager hit a penalty spot with Dante Knopp of Sterrehof in the first round, but had to settle for five penalty points in the second. Ominar Frank Schuttert, who replaced the injured Harry Smulders on the squad, was fine with a total of sixteen penalty points. The worst results of the four contestants in each round may be crossed out.

What does Greve’s performance mean for a possible ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, Markeloër couldn’t answer Friday night. The Nations Cup is an important and final selection match for the national team, as he wanted to see Greve and Zypria S in action again. Previously, she also led the group at the French Nations Cup La Baule, where Greve scored five penalty points (0 and 5).

What if Griff persuaded national team coach Rob Irenes? “It’s up to the national coach, who makes the choice. Anyway, I’m happy to lead Zypria. She’s been jumping really well lately and she’s feeling very good again today. She’s in great shape,” Gref said.

The Rotterdam Grand Prix will be followed on Sunday at Crawlings Boss. After one day, the national coach must assign his four men (plus one reserve) to Tokyo. “We’ll see. I can’t do anything but ride really well on Sunday and then wait to see,” said Griff.

National team coach Rob Irenes didn’t want to say anything Friday night about Tokyo’s Olympic squad line-up. „We still have the Grand Prix on Sunday, I want to wait for that first. After that, I will begin to work on the composition of the team in peace. I won’t say anything about the Knights’ performance at the Nations Cup, we agreed on that in a moment.”