Calimero double clear for the Netherlands in Rotterdam!

Sterrehof’s Calimero and Marc delivered again at a moment that mattered. Our top duo jumped two flawless clear rounds during the Longines FEI Nations Cup of CHIO Rotterdam and had a big contribution to the (ex aequo) third place of the Dutch team.

Princess Beatrix

The complete team that won the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona last year started in Rotterdam. Beside Marc and Calimero also Harrie Smolders and Don VHP Z N.O.P. were able to stay double clear for the Netherlands. Only four other combinations of the field were able to match this performance.

Already in the first round a super safe Calimero showed his brilliance, which was also seen by an enthusiastic Princess Beatrix of Orange. In the second round Calimero fought again to stay clear and succeeded convincingly in that together with his rider.

‘Also thanks to the other horses’

Marc could only be proud of Calimero. He said afterwards: ‘I’m really happy. He jumped superbly! It was only a pity we were not able to perform better as a team, but you know this is how it can go in a Nations Cup. I could manage Calimero very well towards this class. You can see he is still getting more experienced. He hardly made a mistake the last couple of months. It’s his merit but also thanks to the other horses I can compete with. And they also perform really well. This time I started Baccarat in the Grand Prix. Although he had one rail down he gave me a really good feeling again.’

The Nations Cup of Rotterdam is an important benchmark towards the WEG in Tryon. Marc cannot deny he and Calimero are on schedule. ‘For sure it looks good. Calimero will rest now for a week and then we go to Paris. Two weeks after that I will start him in Aachen.’ Last year Marc and Calimero finished third at the Grand Prix of CHIO Aachen.