(Photo: The Dutch Masters / Remco Veurink)
The highly anticipated Dutch Masters returns this year from 9-12 March with a spectacular schedule of sport and entertainment. Hosting the first Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the calendar year, this iconic show will see some of the world’s best horse and rider combinations fight to claim one of the most prestigious prizes in show jumping, the Rolex Grand Prix. This year, The Dutch Masters will welcome the return of both a second arena and national competitions. This second arena, as per tradition, will host the majority of the national competitions taking place throughout the show.
The action in the main arena begins on Thursday 9 March with the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix presented by RS2 Dressage, where elegance, precision and harmony will be seen in abundance. Crowds are sure to be in awe of these partnerships they ‘dance’ together. Britain’s Charlotte Fry and the stunning black stallion Glamourdale will surely be the favourites when they enter the arena. The double Individual gold medallists at the 2022 FEI World Championships have gone from strength to strength and have continued to impress judges and crowds alike since their victory in Herning. Rolex Testimonee, Germany’s Isabell Werth and the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere will also be contesting the top spot on the leader board. Dressage fans will be treated to a masterclass from some of the world’s best in the discipline, including Charlotte Fry, Britt Dekker, Samantha Steenwijk & Anky van Grunsven later on in the day. Meanwhile, in the second arena, the national competition commences with two jumping classes.
With seven classes taking place across the main arena and the second arena, Friday in the Brabanthallen will be action-packed. First off in the second arena is the KNHS Para Dressuur Trophy, which will see para-dressage riders competing in a Freestyle to Music competition. The feature class comes later in the day in the main arena, where the world’s leading show jumpers will be looking to claim the VDL Groep Prize. Away from the dressage and show jumping taking place during the day, spectators will be treated to a vast variety of exceptional shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy.
Saturday sees the second half of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ with the Freestyle to Music taking place in the early afternoon. This class will be one of the last chances for riders to secure points to qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, taking place in Ocala, Florida, USA in early April. Saturday evening sees the return of the ever-popular Van Schijndel Indoor Derby, as well as the headline show jumping class of the day, the Audi Prize. Meanwhile national jumping and dressage classes take place throughout the day in the second arena.
All eyes on Sunday will be on one class, the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix. Here, 40 of the most elite show jumping combinations will take on Louis Konickx’s expertly designed course in the hope of becoming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Live Contender. The competition is expected to be fierce, with numerous former Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winners in the field, including last year’s victor and Rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser, as well as the current Live Contender McLain Ward.