Maikel van der Vleuten and Dywis HH Fly to the Top in the CSI5*-W Checkpoint Trophy at A Coruña

The pace shifted into high gear at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025–2026 Western European League as riders tackled the CSI5*-W Checkpoint Trophy, an intense 1.45m competition against the clock counting toward FEI Longines Ranking Group D. Precision and speed were the deciding factors, and it was Maikel van der Vleuten who rose to the occasion with a masterclass performance aboard Dywis HH, stopping the timers at a blazing 59.72 seconds.

Van der Vleuten, known for his consistency and tactical brilliance, executed a seamless, forward ride that kept him ahead of a competitive field from start to finish. Dywis HH, sharp and responsive throughout, delivered exactly the kind of quick-footed round needed to secure victory in a class where even fractions of a second proved decisive.

Belgium’s Pieter Devos came closest to catching the Dutch rider, guiding the ever-game Jarina J to a fast and fluent round in 61.26 seconds. Their performance showcased both speed and control, earning them a strong second-place finish and valuable ranking points toward the season’s standings.

Rounding out the podium was Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf, who piloted Milky Way 111 with trademark efficiency and accuracy. Their time of 61.77 seconds kept them firmly in the top three, adding yet another impressive result to Bettendorf’s growing résumé on the international stage.

The Checkpoint Trophy once again highlighted the depth of talent present in A Coruña this week, with riders pushing for every stride, turn, and second in pursuit of a place on the leaderboard. As competitors continue to sharpen their form ahead of the weekend’s feature classes, Friday’s speed competition delivered a thrilling preview of the intensity still to come.

With the fight for ranking points heating up and momentum building across the Western European League, the spotlight now shifts to the next round of elite sport — but the Checkpoint Trophy belonged unmistakably to Maikel van der Vleuten and Dywis HH, who proved untouchable in a class defined by precision and pace.

Photo by Stefan Lafrentz