Dutch riders proved unbeatable on home ground when Marc Houtzager
snatched victory from compatriot Harrie Smolders in a thrilling nine-horse
jump-off at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2019/2020 Western European
League qualifier in Amsterdam (NED) today.

Third to go against the clock, Smolders set a super-fast target
when breaking the beam with the 11-year-old gelding, Monaco, in 35.03 seconds
and looked well set to take the maximum points. But Houtzager was second-last
into the ring with the 12-year-old mare Sterrehof’s Dante and scorched home
almost a full second quicker thanks to a spectacularly tight turn to the double
three fences from home, and a fearless run to the final oxer.

Belgium’s Pieter Clemens (Quintini) and Niels Bruynseels (Gancia de Muze) lined up in third and fourth, and Houtzager’s result has suddenly catapulted the 49-year-old Dutchman into a qualifying spot for the Longines 2020 Final in Las Vegas, USA in April.

by Louise Parkes