First international victory also achieved by Marriët Smit – Hoekstra, the Univé Prix CSI3*

The obstacles kept getting higher on the first international show jumping day of Indoor Friesland 2025. The Univé Prix, a three-star competition against the clock over a height of 1.45m, produced a top three finish for the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium. After two national victories yesterday in the Horses2fly finals, they just added an international victory. Crowd favorite Marriët Smit-Hoekstra and the eight-year-old mare Wadro's Maggie May (by Zirocco Blue) were the fastest with a time of 60.40 seconds.

Second place went to Sweden's Wilma Hellström aboard the ten-year-old stallion Aj Bachelor Z (by Barrako de Muze). They crossed the finish line in 61.75 seconds. Third place went to a Belgian combination, Maurice van Roosbroeck and the eleven-year-old gelding Emir de Coeur des Collines Z (by Elvis ter Putte), clocking 62.55 seconds.

Not consciously fast
Marriët: "Wow, oh my, another fantastic blanket won! I didn't deliberately ride very fast. Maggie doesn't have a very long canter, so you always have to push her a bit. I've ridden her at 1.45m twice, but a competition like this is different. This win really gives me courage; this horse has such a fantastic attitude. When I cleared the last fence, I thought I'd be fifth or sixth, but there was a huge round of applause. I thought, "Oh, how sweet," but it was because of the win, unbelievable."

One step at a time
It's especially nice that the breeder and owner is also a sponsor of Indoor Friesland. He bred Maggie together with Jur Vrieling. Jur rode her dam. Wadro's mare is now on her own. She doesn't jump very rough, but her attitude is unparalleled. Last year, I started her at 1.40m level for the first time here at Indoor Friesland, and we placed three times. Now she's at 1.45m level, and that's going well too. A step at a time, so who knows what else is in store.

Sober and confident
It feels like I'm in a flow, yes. Why that is, I don't know. In the past, when I really wanted something, it just didn't work out. Maybe because the kids are there, which I really appreciate and it keeps me grounded. The fact that For Chacco TN is with me probably helps too. I have so much confidence in that horse, and that gives me confidence too.

Text: Media team Indoor Friesland
Photos: Digishots and Equiglim