A sense of home pride dominated the Van Grunsven Groep Derby on Saturday afternoon at the CSI Eindhoven. Eindhoven’s own Henk van de Pol created history by winning the derby for the fourth time. The entire podium was painted in Dutch colours, making it a very special result for the Netherlands.
Elite sport meets open atmosphere
Walking up to the Karpendonkse Plas with its lush greenery and the winding lake, a sense of anticipation was palpable. The sun was shining, and crowds swarmed to watch the Van Grunsven Groep Derby on Saturday afternoon. At the entrance, one is greeted by a small, yet very meaningful CSI board that sets the perfect tone for this unique event.
‘SOMEWHERE on these showgrounds is a little child that wants to be just like you someday. You owe it to them to be the best sportsperson you can be’
International show jumping is often associated with exclusivity and distance – both physical and cultural. CSI Eindhoven disrupts that image completely. There was no sense of entering a sealed-off professional sports arena. The boundaries between the spectator and the competition space felt intentionally blurred. Families strolled around watching the competition, cheering to clear jumps and enjoying themselves just as much as the seasoned Derby enthusiasts. One could almost hear the heartbeat of the horses when the audience held their breath for the tricky manoeuvres. A unique derby experience replete with an adorable kids corner featuring ponies and a mini-obstacle course, food stalls and an assortment of shops was drawing a steady influx of visitors. The visitors even had the opportunity to walk around and explore the derby course before the competition began. It was remarkable to watch adults and kids marvelling at the race’s height and challenges, and posing for photographs.
Show jumping at its finest
Amidst all this relaxed atmosphere, the quality of the sport shone bright. The openness of the venue did not dilute the seriousness of the competition; rather, it made every moment feel more personal and tangible. Henk van de Pol, Eindhoven’s own Derby King, on his bay mare No Fathers Girl, was a firm favourite with the crowd. It was show jumping at its finest with Van de Pol elegantly clearing the fences on record time (42.79 seconds). Rogier Linssen on his bay mare Money Penny finished at 45.44 seconds, and Pim Mulder on his bay stallion Diamond Z came third at 45.95 seconds. An all-Dutch podium with an Eindhovenaar winning the coveted derby for the fourth time. What more could the audience ask for!
Effortless Elegance: The Spirit of CSI Eindhovem
This contrast of world-class precision in an unforced, public environment is what makes CSI Eindhoven so special. The atmosphere is relaxed but not casual, professional but not distant. Rare combination that feels distinctly Dutch, favouring the open yet pragmatic approach to life in general in the Netherlands. The derby professionals displayed tremendous sportsmanship, and the audience was truly inspired!
CSI Eindhoven is open to the public daily with free admission. The full programme of events is available on the official website at www.csi-eindhoven.nl. Visitors can find parking across from the site at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).
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