It was a grand slam weekend (pun intended) for Henrik von Eckermann and Toveks Mary Lou as they cemented their name in the record books winning the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters Indoor Brabant Horse Show. Securing the first of four Majors of the year, all eyes are set on the Swedish jumper as he pursues the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping — a feat achieved only once before by Great Britain’s Scott Brash in 2015.
A start list of 40 riders tackled the first round designed by Louis Koninckx, but only five remained to jump-off for the top prize and their share of the €900,000 prize. Henrik beat out World No. 1 and 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) silver medalist, Steve Guerdat, as well as WEG teammate, Peder Fredricson, who finished third.
“She always performs so well,” Henrik said of 13-year-old Toveks Mary Lou. “She is so special, it’s like she knows what is going on. She thinks, ‘Ok, it’s Sunday today, it’s the big day and I need to be the best I can be.’ She always tries that little bit extra for me and it makes her a fantastic horse.”
And fantastic she is! Keep your eyes peeled for the next Major this summer held at CHIO Aachen as Henrik plans to repeat his incredible performance and stay in the hunt for the title of Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
P.S. We wish all the best to Jeroen Dubbeldam’s World Champion mount SFN Zenith in his well-deserved retirement!
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Feature photo by DigiShots.