The Rolex Grand Slam in ‘s-Hertogenbosch concluded with an exciting jump-off, and a second win in the Rolex series for Germany's Daniel Deusser – this time riding the stallion Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve/ex Otangelo x Mr. Blue), who was bred by Jonas Bellemans.
The petite Tobago Z may only stand at 163 cms, but is quite simply one-of-a-kind in partnership with Deusser. His talent is no accident, however, as he descends from coveted and sport-proven bloodlines via both his sire and dam. The latter, Whoopie C competed herself at 1m60, and is renowned for her extreme reflexes and quality. Tobago's half sister (by Toulon) is not unknown and also performs , his sister HH Donatella is not unknown and also performed up to CSIO4* level with Venezuela's Daniele Stransky.
Tobago Z's personal results show that he's the most successful horse in the Global Champions League, but his offspring are also now taking shape, including Top Gun (damsire Ugano Sitte). The stallion is currently, approved for AES, Holstein, Oldenburg and Zangersheide.
The World Cup finale was exciting until the end after Harrie Smolders riding Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) recorded an amazing time, saying; “It was almost a masterplan. With 12 clears I left a little gap knowing there were so many good and fast horses behind me. In the end I’m very happy with a second place.”
Deusser had seen Smolders' sizzling jump-off: “I also walked the course, but doubted if I could ride the same strides. But when I rode into the ring, I told myself to stick to the original plan like I'd walked the course, and don’t keep in mind the others who rode before. I have to say that this worked out and Tobago did a great job today. He is a fantastic horse and already proved his qualities, and he did it again.”
Third place went to the last horse/rider in the jump-off, Willem Greve and again an approved stallion Grandorado TN (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Carolus II). A very playful horse with a big stride and a course that suited him in the jump-off: According to Greve; "It went perfectly, and especially in the last line he helped me a lot. I’m very proud of him, also because I've produced him since he was three years old and always believed in him. He has a big career in breeding, but I decided with the co-owner Team Nijhof the focus of the coming season with a bit more time on sport. I think this could be a horse that could be very good for the next few years of my career.”
Sabine Timman
