Minderhoud wins last leg of World Cup

Hans Peter Minderhoud has won the last qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage league on home ground at ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Powerful performance

It looked like fellow Dutchman Diederik van Silfhout would win the class with Arlando NOP after they produced a quality test, to score 80.150. However, Hans was last to go riding Glock’s Flirt, whose powerful performance saw them take the lead with 81.775.

European individual bronze medallist Beatriz Ferrer-Salt from Spain was third with Delgado, while Belgium’s Fanny Verliefden came fourth riding Annarico.

‘Hard-working boy’

A total of 14 riders from eight nations competed in this last qualifier hoping to gain valuable points to qualify for final in Gothenburg on 23-28 March.

Hans wins puts him in second place on the Western European League table, behind Germany’s Isabell Werth.

“It’s [the final] happening a month earlier than normal so that’s great because it’s close to the end of the season and my horse is feeling really good!” Hans said. “He’s never difficult, he’s a really hard-working boy, he’s a sweet boy, and I felt we did two really super tests here.”

No broken bones

Joining Hans in the final is his partner and 2010 champion Edward Gal who missed ‘s-Hertogenbosch after taking a fall from a youngster at home during the week.

“It’s three days later now and Edward is still sore and stiff but there are no broken bones, so he’s definitely going to be in Gothenburg!” Hans said.

Charlotte Dujardin was guaranteed a place as the defending World Cup Champion, however she is unable to compete due to a legal dispute over the ownership of Uthopia, the horse on whom she planned to ride.

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