Spring MET 2025: Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann won the Grand Prix
Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and the 9-year-old gelding Iron Dames Just A Dream (Toulon x Cavalier Royale) won Sunday’s CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix presented by CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A – as the third part of Spring MET 2025 concluded at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova in Spain.
In a jump-off between eleven horse-and-rider combination, Meyer-Zimmermann – who is a familiar face at the venue in Oliva Nova – and her talented 9-year-old delivered the winning time, crossing the finish line in 38.09 seconds and besting a field of 51 participants. Axel Vandoorne (BEL) and Kaline de Fremis (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Zirocco Blue) had to settle for second place with a time of 39.33 seconds, while David Simpson (IRL) on Ovidius Vd Donkhoeve (VDL Zirocco Blue x Chin Chin) took third in 40.72, followed by Gerco Schröder (NED) on Jackpot (VDL Zirocco Blue x Heartbreaker) in fourth in 42.13, and Pål Flam (NOR) aboard Mega Special DC (I’m Special de Muze x Landadel) in fifth in 42.20.
“We bought Iron Dames Just A Dream from Francis Connors last year and it was very emotional today, because Francis was also here with his family,” Meyer-Zimmermann explained. “I already brought him to Oliva at the end of 2024 just to get to know him and to practise a little bit. From the first moment, we have believed that this horse can do anything because he has blood and he is careful, but he has still needed a lot of time. I didn’t expect to win today, I only knew that I could leave out strides everywhere because he has such a big canter.”
“Today everything came together, and it was really, really emotional for all of us also because the last half year has not been about results at all,” she continued. “It has only been about training, practising, and getting to know each other. This was the first time we had the chance to prove that we can do something big one day. I feel so happy to be able to give something back to Iron Dames’ Deborah Mayer. I am thankful for her trust and for giving us time to develop together. I think it’s my strength to always be very patient and positive with young horses and I feel confident when I have the chance to bring horses up into the bigger sport. However, you need time to grow together, and an owner that gives you the time. I’m grateful and proud that we had the chance to give something back today, it was a really special win for us.”
“We always come here at the beginning and at the end of the season,” Meyer-Zimmermann said about the venue in Oliva Nova where she is a regular guest with her family. “The courses are always well built, they are technical and difficult enough, but always fair, so you have a good chance also with a greener horse. The facility is amazing! We have been big fans of Oliva for many years. When you look back and see the improvement, it is impressive how the venue keeps getting better and better. Oliva is a super place, probably the best to build up horses for the season.”
Spring MET 2025 now takes a week’s break before the action resumes on 8 April for three more weeks of competition with the fourth and final part of the tour.
Full results HERE