Von Eckermann and Deusser sign up
The Dutch Masters (9-12 March) has secured the participation of both last year's winner Daniel Deusser and world number one Henrik von Eckermann.
Deusser managed to win last year's Rolex Grand Prix in greatest fashion with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. The 41-year-old German rider riding for Stephex Stables in Wolvertem, Belgium, is also going for victory this year with the same 15-year-old Zangersheide stallion. "I will start him this weekend in Bordeaux and then he will get four weeks of rest. I will keep him in shape, but no competitions for a while, so he will start fresh in 's-Hertogenbosch."
The stakes are high for Deusser. In September, he managed to win the Major at CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters'. He could not repeat this victory at CHI Geneva, but a bonus of 250,000 euros awaits him in the Brabanthallen. This bonus is given to a rider who manages to win two non-consecutive majors within the cycle of four. "I don't stress about it, but, of course, I do feel some excitement as soon as the moment is there," he said.
Deusser enjoys coming to The Dutch Masters. "It is an event with an excellent atmosphere. The infra-structure is nice with quiet warm-up arenas where you can prepare optimally. The programme is also super nice. Not too many competitions, not too early and not too late. That's nice for us riders and certainly for the horses."
Deusser can count on stiff competition, including from world number one Henrik von Eckermann. Von Eckermann won the Rolex Grand Prix of The Dutch Masters in 2019 with his then top horse Toveks Mary Lou, who can now enjoy a well-earned retirement. The 41-year-old Swede, along with partner Jannika Sprunger, is based in Kessel, Limburg, where they run a sports stable. Von Eckermann is the reigning world champion both individually and with the Swedish team. At the Tokyo Olympics (2021), he won the gold medal with the team.
On Sunday 12 March, it will become clear who will emerge victorious. The Rolex Grand Prix will be held at 15:00. Qualifiers will be held on Friday evening 10 March, the VDL Groep Prize, and on Saturday evening 11 March, the Audi Prize.
The full programme can be viewed here.
Deusser managed to win last year's Rolex Grand Prix in greatest fashion with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. The 41-year-old German rider riding for Stephex Stables in Wolvertem, Belgium, is also going for victory this year with the same 15-year-old Zangersheide stallion. "I will start him this weekend in Bordeaux and then he will get four weeks of rest. I will keep him in shape, but no competitions for a while, so he will start fresh in 's-Hertogenbosch."
The stakes are high for Deusser. In September, he managed to win the Major at CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters'. He could not repeat this victory at CHI Geneva, but a bonus of 250,000 euros awaits him in the Brabanthallen. This bonus is given to a rider who manages to win two non-consecutive majors within the cycle of four. "I don't stress about it, but, of course, I do feel some excitement as soon as the moment is there," he said.
Deusser enjoys coming to The Dutch Masters. "It is an event with an excellent atmosphere. The infra-structure is nice with quiet warm-up arenas where you can prepare optimally. The programme is also super nice. Not too many competitions, not too early and not too late. That's nice for us riders and certainly for the horses."
Deusser can count on stiff competition, including from world number one Henrik von Eckermann. Von Eckermann won the Rolex Grand Prix of The Dutch Masters in 2019 with his then top horse Toveks Mary Lou, who can now enjoy a well-earned retirement. The 41-year-old Swede, along with partner Jannika Sprunger, is based in Kessel, Limburg, where they run a sports stable. Von Eckermann is the reigning world champion both individually and with the Swedish team. At the Tokyo Olympics (2021), he won the gold medal with the team.
On Sunday 12 March, it will become clear who will emerge victorious. The Rolex Grand Prix will be held at 15:00. Qualifiers will be held on Friday evening 10 March, the VDL Groep Prize, and on Saturday evening 11 March, the Audi Prize.
The full programme can be viewed here.
Photos: TDM/Digishots