Dutchman Willem Greve and the 13-year-old stallion Grandorado TN NOP gave a demonstration of pure class to win this afternoon’s Loro Piana Trophy at CSIO Rome - Master d’Inzeo 2024 at Piazza di Siena.

It took some jumping to make the cut into the second round race against the clock, with the first element of the double at fence six and the final vertical at fence 13 taking a heavy toll in the first round.

But 14 horse-and-rider combinations succeeded, and it was second-to-go, 32-year-old Italian Giacomo Bassi, who set the early target when bringing the 10-year-old stallion, Cape Cod, home and clear in 36.79 seconds.

It seemed that should be beatable but, try as they would, those that followed found it impossible until Greve set off with eight left to go. And he gave an exhibition of cool, classic riding as his majestic Dutch-bred stallion cruised around the course without ever looking under the slightest pressure to shave almost a full second off the target time when stopping the clock on 36.01 seconds.

The penultimate pair into the ring, Germany’s Mario Stevens and the 10-year-old gelding Starissa FRH, pushed Bassi down to third place when fractionally faster in 36.75 seconds, but Greve’s victory never looked in any doubt. The 40-year-old rider was delighted with his result with this horse with which he produced a spectacular win in the Rolex Grand Prix on home ground at the Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch in March. 

Discussed

Greve discussed how to ride both the first round and the jump-off track with compatriot and 2000 Olympic champion Jeroen Dubbeldam before the class began, and it clearly paid off.

And Grandorado’s colossal stride play a huge part in his success today as he swallowed up the distances to come home without apparently turning a hair.

“In this jump-off his big step was a big advantage, so I just turned short everywhere. I rode fence one to two in seven strides (many others tried it in six) just to keep the shape, and he does it very easy so I’m very proud of him - he’s such a very great horse!”, he said.

And he was really pleased to post his very first win at Piazza di Siena. “I’m very honoured to win at this venue. Every year I’m surprised how beautiful this show is. My horse is in good shape and this is actually preparation for next week in St Gallen and he was fantastic!”, he pointed out.

Adding to all that he was also very pleased that today’s win, which was produced with absolute conviction, has confirmed the remarkable form he has established with this horse ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.

“He is a super horse and we set up everything hopefully for the Olympic Games now!”, he said.