Nicola and Katanga van het Dingeshof finished fifth on Sunday in the Rolex Grand Prix of Spruce Meadows. After a clear first round, twelve combinations returned for a very difficult second round, where not a single rider managed to stay clear. Olivier and Just Him finished 23rd, while Thibault and Lyandro placed 31st. On Saturday, Belgium, with three brothers in the team, finished fifth in the Nations Cup. It was the very first time that three brothers competed together in the same team.
The entire family travelled to Calgary last week to take part in what is seen as the “holy week” of equestrian sport in Canada. Thibault made his mark with two third places, but the main focus was on the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. In 2012, father Ludo and son Olivier wrote history here by finishing first and third.
Nicola had saved Katanga van het Dingeshof for the Grand Prix on Sunday. The pair jumped an excellent first round, joining ten other combinations with a clear round. In the second round, two poles fell, and Nicola and Katanga ended in a strong fifth place.
“Katanga jumped really well in the first round. In the second, I went a bit too fast into the first combination, which caused one pole down. The second mistake came towards the end of the course, on a very difficult part where many combinations had problems. It was a very heavy course. The fact that no one managed a clear in the second round says enough. The Nations Cup on Saturday was very special. The first time riding in the same team with my brothers is a memory to keep. And with fifth place in the Grand Prix, I think we did well.”
For Thibault, this was his third time in Spruce Meadows. With two third places in side classes, he showed strong form. On Saturday and Sunday, he made his debut in the bigger competitions.
“These fences are still a bit higher and wider than what you are used to. But overall, I am very happy with my week and with the way my horses performed. The Nations Cup on Saturday was very special, because it was the first time together with my brothers. My first round was not so good, but in the second I stayed clear, and that gave me a very good feeling. Looking at the whole week, I think we all performed well here.”
Two weeks ago, Olivier and Just Him made their debut with a 10th place in the Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. The new horse immediately joined the trip to Spruce Meadows and again showed his qualities.
“Besides the result, I am especially happy with what we managed to build together in such a short time. Just Him has potential and can grow even more, but we will take it step by step. I am not sure yet, but it is possible that I will take him to the Belgian Championship in Zangersheide in three weeks.”
Ludo looks back with pride on the 50th edition of Spruce Meadows.
“I think we can be very satisfied with a successful week. Olivier did well with a new horse. Thibault can be happy with his two podium finishes and his debut in the Nations Cup team. These are experiences that will help him in the rest of his career. Anthony competed in some smaller classes and did very well there too, including a fourth place. On arenas like these you need to learn how to ride, and he managed it very well. He gained valuable experience in those classes, which he can use when he steps up to the bigger competitions here. Nicola gave us the highlight on Sunday. Fifth place in such a difficult Grand Prix, clear in the first round. The fact that no one managed a clear in the second round says enough. That we can play a role at this level makes me proud. The same goes for the Nations Cup on Saturday. To make it to the second round and finish fifth, I would have signed for that in advance. It was a fantastic week, a fantastic show, and we gained so much experience.”
