VDL Stud Prix CSI 3* for Drenthe's Michael Greeve

The final class of the first international show jumping day of Indoor Friesland 2025 has already concluded. Before packed stands and the enthusiastic crowds this competition is known for, a 1.50m jump-off class was ridden, which also served as qualification for the Grand Prix on Saturday evening. Forty-seven combinations started, twelve of whom were eligible to return for the jump-off, five of whom were Dutch. The VDL Stud Prix was won by Dutchman Michael Greve. Michael saddled the twelve-year-old gelding Commissar Pezi (by Commissario) for this class and finished in 32.79 seconds.

Second place also remained in the Netherlands. Last year's SLTN Grand Prix winner, Willem Greve, claimed it. Riding the thirteen-year-old stallion Highway TN NOP, Willem finished in 33.78 seconds. Third place went to Belgium's Maurice van Roosbroeck. Aboard the nine-year-old stallion Lord Emil (by Casall), he crossed the finish line in 37.94 seconds.

Only a month of combination
Michael is 43 years old and, after Harrie Smolders, worked for Johan Heins for a long time. He now lives and works in Veeningen, Drenthe, and has been in partnership with the Hanoverian gelding, formerly ridden by Martin Fuchs, for just over a month. Michael: “We've now ridden 1.45m classes together twice, and it felt good in both the basic course and the jump-off. He's naturally fast and has a big canter. That's why I decided to start this qualifying round, and on Saturday I want to ride him in the Grand Prix. Commissar has a lot of temperament, but you need that at this level. With this horse, I now have three very good horses, and that's a luxury. I'm very curious to see what the future holds for me.”

Athletes needed
Sponsor Janko van de Lageweg of the VDL Stud, the sponsor of this competition: “Speaking as a breeder, I want to say that for a high-level sport like this, good horses are essential; we need athletes. It's good for the breeders to be able to see here what kind of horses need to be bred for that. A lot of breeding takes place here in the Northern Netherlands, so it's also good for them that a competition like Indoor Friesland is back.”

Text: Media team Indoor Friesland
Photos: Digishots