Laurens Sliepenbeek and Hoby became the FEI Pony Riders' Champions at the 2006 KNHS Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships in Wanroij, The Netherlands, on March 11, 2006. Aboard his 12-year old Hoby (by Hasko), Sliepenbeek scored 67.2% and bested the field of competitors.
Purchased in Germany in 2003, Hoby has been a steady member of the FEI Dutch Pony team at two European Pony Championships. At the 2005 European Championships, Sliepenbeek won team silver and he won the national title at the 2005 Dutch Outdoor Pony Dressage Championships. Sliepenbeek is 16-years old and in his final pony year. He's already a bit too tall for his pony, but he wants to complete the year. "The European Pony Championships are my goal this year and hopefully I can win an individual medal," he said. "Hoby is going really well lately. We've already won a lot but I didn't have the impression that I had to prove myself here. I just try to do a good ride. It works best for my pony who doesn't like to be pushed."
Finishing second in the Indoor Championship was Sliepenbeek's Dutch team member Michelle van Lanen with the dark bay gelding Basalt. She scored 65.3%. Three new comers filled up the ranks. Marit van Roy ranked third aboard the 6-year old Lordy. Twelve year old Maria van den Dungen placed fourth aboard Dutch team pony Milkshake and Fransje van der Meer and Chamaya du Bois landed a fifth place.
Photo copyrighted: Maud Le Bel - Visit Le Bel's superb pony website where you have photos of the 2005 European Pony Championships in Italy
Source: KNHS
Related Links
Milkshake Sold to Maria van den Dungen
Coverage of the 2005 European Pony Championships