The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has returned to The Dutch Masters, offering four days of world-class competition. The show kicked-off yesterday with last year’s Rolex Grand Prix winner, Willem Greve, taking the inaugural HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions class, whilst today’s highlight came from the VDL Groep Prize. This prestigious class gave the elite field of riders their first chance to qualify and secure a spot in the highly anticipated Rolex Grand Prix – part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – on Sunday afternoon.

Starting the class was Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, who, as the first into the arena, set the tone with a smooth clear round. Next to go, Peder Fredricson made it two for two, ensuring the passionate crowd would be treated to a jump-off. The first of the Dutch riders to secure a place to jump for glory over the shortened course was Kim Emmen and Imagine, who delighted the Brabanthallen crowd with a confident clear round – a result quickly replicated by compatriot Mans Thijssen.

At the halfway mark, six additional riders had mastered Louis Konickx’s 1.55m course. However, some of the class’s top contenders, including three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher, four-time Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major winner Martin Fuchs, and World No.1 Henrik von Eckermann, were unable to deliver the rounds they had hoped for.

Rolex Testimonee Richard Vogel was another to claim their place in the second round with his sensational gelding United Touch S, with whom he took the victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in 2023. The German is one of many riders who made the journey across the Atlantic to the Netherlands to compete in this historic show – another being American rider Lillie Keenan, who also joined the elite list of riders set to jump-off.

Clears in the second half of the field were less frequent, but current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender Harrie Smolders ensured a strong Dutch contingent would jump for the top spot with a confident clear. Following the withdrawal of Marcus Ehning and Max Kühner, a total of eleven riders proceeded into the jump-off.

After a short break, during which Maikel van der Vleuten was awarded Dutch Rider of the Year, competitors returned to the arena to face the shortened course in the same order as the preceding round. Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and the 19-year-old grey gelding Catch Me Not S set the early pace with a clear round in 38.63 seconds. Philipp Weishaupt then proved the time was beatable, but accrued four faults at the first part of the double combination.

With seven riders remaining, talented young Belgian Gilles Thomas looked to challenge Fredricson’s lead but finished just 0.22 seconds slower. With the huge-striding United Touch S, Richard Vogel then took the provisional lead with just two riders left to jump – a lead he retained to claim his second victory of the show thus far.

Speaking on his win, Vogel stated: “It is a super start to the weekend. Obviously, the aim of the show is the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday, but it always gives you a good feeling and gives you confidence to have a win like this early on. United Touch S is jumping very well, and hopefully, we can keep it up for Sunday.”

The German rider continued: “This year, United Touch S stayed in Europe to prepare for The Dutch Masters – he is our best horse, and we want to add another Rolex Grand Slam Major win to our achievements. Felicia, my groom, along with the whole team at home, are incredible, and we would not have this success without them.”