Sterrehof’s Dante and Marc Dutch Champions of 2020!

In a truly fabulous way, Sterrehof’s Dante and Marc managed to win the Dutch title at the National Championships in Kronenberg! Our duo started on Thursday with a third place in the opening class against the clock and grabbed the leading position on Friday after a clear round. On the final day they also managed not to make a single jumping fault in two difficult rounds and thus secured the gold medal at the Equestrian Centre De Peelbergen. The silver went to Harrie Smolders, the bronze medal came in the hands of Jeroen Dubbeldam.

For Marc, it is the second Dutch title with one of our horses, after he won the prestigious price with Sterrehof’s Calimero in 2017.

Superlatives

Although we can label this year as a lost year for horse sport, Dante still managed to take her second big price at a major event on national soil after her victory in the FEI World Cup of Amsterdam. Obviously there were only superlatives for her afterwards. Marc said: ‘She jumped her heart out and gave me a great feeling. She hasn’t made a mistake in three days and that on her first major championship! The feeling has been very good every single day. That’s why I’m here, to see how she would jump at such a championship. This has been a great experience for her. The fact that every good Dutch rider was here makes it extra special to become national champion. This is a good test for us in view of the Tokyo Games. After all, not many shows will happen anymore this year so this makes a bit up for this lost season.’

En route to Saint Tropez

Sterrehof’s Edinus also came into action during the national championship. Unfortunately, he was unable to hold on to his high position after the first day, dropped to the midfield and finished in this section of the final ranking on Sunday. In a few weeks, Marc will travel with our horses to Saint Tropez to continue this stripped-down, but nevertheless still successful outdoor season.