The Longines Tops International Arena was alive with noise and colour on Saturday night as Dutch rider Kevin Jochems sealed a home victory that will long be remembered. Last to go in a nail-biting 1.50m jump-off, he guided Shanroe Peeters with a mix of precision and daring, stopping the clock in 42.38 seconds and sending the Valkenswaard crowd into raptures.
Arms aloft as he crossed the finish, Jochems was met with cheers, handshakes, and a heartfelt embrace from friends in the collecting ring. For the 29-year-old, it was more than just another win — it was a triumph shared with his best friend, with whom he co-owns Shanroe Peeters. “We’ve had him since he was seven, so this is really special,” he said, visibly moved.
Valkenswaard 1.50m Jump-Off Belongs to the Dutch
The drama of the evening unfolded with 11 riders qualifying for the jump-off. First to set the pace, Harrie Smolders delivered a measured clear aboard Bingo du Parc in 46.00 seconds, laying down a standard for others to chase. Then came Sanne Thijssen, igniting the crowd with her veteran partner Con Quidam RB, the 19-year-old stallion still sparkling at the top level, who stopped the clock at 42.87 seconds.
The tension grew with each round. Bas Moerings and Kivinia produced a sharp 43.95, while Denis Lynch guided Brooklyn Heights to a classy 43.82. Laura Kraut and Très Bien Z showed immaculate control for 44.03, while Celine Schoonbroodt-de Azevedo and Jacarta Equigenne added to the clear-round tally with 44.84.
But it was Willem Greve who seemed destined for victory. With Highway TN N.O.P., the reigning Summer Classic Grand Prix winners, Greve scorched around the course to a time of 42.71 seconds. The home crowd erupted, believing the competition was sealed.
Then came Jochems. Cool under pressure, and cheered on by a fervent home crowd, he attacked every line with Shanroe Peeters. Tight turns, a relentless rhythm, and flawless execution shaved precious fractions off the clock. When the time of 42.38 flashed up, the arena exploded — a Dutch 1-2-3 secured on home soil.
Dutch Podium Sweep and What Comes Next
With Jochems on top, Greve in second, and Thijssen in third, the Netherlands celebrated a podium sweep in one of the season’s most competitive 5* classes. “The atmosphere was incredible,” Jochems said. “Being last to go, you could feel how much the crowd wanted it.”
The victory also underlined the enduring brilliance of Con Quidam RB, who, at 19, still proved capable of mixing it with the very best, adding another layer of nostalgia to a night of Dutch dominance.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s feature — the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. With championship points on the line in Stage 10 of the 2025 season, and the sport’s biggest names back in the spotlight, it promises another afternoon of high drama.
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