Van der Vleuten and Deusser to The Dutch Masters

It was previously announced that Olympic champion Christian Kukuk, World champion Henrik von Eckermann, European champion Steve Guerdat and Dutch champion Willem Greve would travel to The Dutch Masters (13-16 March) as well as live contender Harrie Smolders. Now Maikel van der Vleuten and top German rider Daniel Deusser have also signed up.
Brabant top rider Maikel van der Vleuten has enjoyed coming to the Brabanthallen for years. ‘I am looking forward to it! I think The Dutch Masters is a show that the top riders really look forward to, especially now that it is part of the Rolex Grand Slam.’ Maikel cherishes fond memories of The Dutch Masters, where last year he managed to win the VDL Groep Prize on Friday evening with his two-time Olympic bronze medallist Beauville Z. ‘That was a special moment, I have been lucky in my career to win the VDL Groep Prize several times. This was the first one where Wim van der Leegte was no longer present himself.’ Who will Maikel take with him to The Dutch Masters? ‘The plan is to definitely bring Beauville Z, and then I hope to repeat the success of the VDL Groep Prize in the Rolex Grand Prix this year. I will also take an up-and-coming talent with me, for horses like this it is very instructive to ride in such a beautiful entourage. I am greatly looking forward to it and hope for a lot of horse fans in the stands!’
Daniel Deusser, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in 2015 (Cornet d'Amour) and 2022 (Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z), will come to ‘s-Hertogenbosch with Otello de Guldenboom and Gangster vh Noddevelt. Which one he will start in the Rolex Grand Prix depends on the horses' form. ‘The weeks before The Dutch Masters I will see who has the best form,’ he said. Otello is of course special because he is a son of Tobago Z. ‘I do see similarities between father and son. I notice that it helps me that I also rode the father. Less fun is the fact that it reminds me that I am getting older,’ laughs Deusser. ‘Otello has developed well over the last year and is learning fast.’ Deusser has nothing but praise for all the Rolex Grand Slam events. ‘All share the same philosophy and are therefore wonderfully organised. It also makes The Dutch Masters a top event that riders look forward to.’
You can find the full programme here. Order your tickets in time via this link and don't miss anything from this edition of The Dutch Masters!
Photos: TDM/Digishots