They lived up to their favorite role in the Grand Prix presented by Friends Lottery, Dinja van Liere and Hermès. In front of their own audience they took the first step towards the World Cup points at stake tomorrow with a score of 81.957%. Isabell Werth was second with Emilio (78.370%), Ingrid Klimke was third with the stallion Franziskus (75.978%).

‘He was very relaxed and laid back’

”I was very happy with Hermès,” said Dinja van Liere as she and her KWPN stallion received the state blanket. “He was very relaxed. Hermès likes it here in Amsterdam. Highlights with him are always the piaffe and the passage. The series and pirouettes were also very nice. He had no big mistakes today. Actually, everything was a highlight.”

Jury difference

Notable this time were the jury differences, which amounted to 7 percent. ”I’m not concerned with that,” Dinja said. ”You always have this. One judge gives a higher percentage than the other and then the final score is somewhere in the middle.”

”Super looking forward to the freestyle”

”Hermès is in super shape and he knows what to do. I expect him to be in top condition tomorrow as well. We’re going to do our best tomorrow in the freestyle and especially after today I’m super looking forward to it.”

Next competition: The Dutch Masters

”The intention is that I also start him at The Dutch Masters in Den Bosch. That is our next competition. Our focus is of course on the European Championships in Riesenbeck this year. But before then we are going to ride some nice races.”

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