On Wednesday November 26, 2003, the 2003-2004 KNHS/KWPN Stallion Competition (aka Divoza Cup) kicked off with its first show in Hengelo, The Netherlands.
Winning the four year old class was the Scandinavian bred, yet KWPN branded Scandic who is by Solos Carex x Amiral. Ridden by Remy Bastings, the chestnut stallion Scandic scored 78,5 points. The horse is owned by J.W. Greve and HBC Stal. Finishing second in that division was Edward Gal aboard San Remo (Wolkentanz x Volturno) with 77 points. Sarah van Fessem ranked third with her 2003 Pavo Cup Champion Special D (Metall x Zandigo). The combination scored 76,5 points.
In the five year old division Nicolette van Lierop reigned once more aboard Hilltop Rousseau, a Ferro x Roemer licensed stallion who is owned by the American Hilltop Farm and Harmony Sport Horses. Van Lierop and Rousseau scored 82,5 points and beat Susan de Klein aboard the Westfalian stallion Charming. The pair scored 76 points. Charming is currently owned by D.J. Haese and Equestrian Service and was ridden in the German Bundeschampionate last year by Ingrid Klimke. He's by Champus x Lancer II. In third position were Marlies van Baalen and Radar (Cocktail x Le Mexico). They gathered 75 points.
The six-year old horses had to run a Z/ZZ level test. The AES licensed Painted Black (Gribaldi x Ferro) proved to be the best trained horse as he won the class under Anky van Grunsven with 151 points. In second position was Edward Gal on Magic Ronaldo, an Oldenburg licensed Rubinstein x Ramino sire who is owned by Ingrid Rhebergen and Cor Mudde. Gal scored 147 points and referred Marlies van Baalen to a third position. Van Baalen took over the ride of Riant (Jazz x Julio Mariner xx) from Anke ter Beek and scored 143,5 points with him in Hengelo.
Image copyrighted: Dirk Caremans