Hans Peter Minderhoud and the Dutch warmblood mare Nadine (by Partout) proved to be on form at their first show of the season at the Dutch national team selection in Zevenaar, The Netherlands.
The European championship team gold medal winning pair pushed for power by scoring 74.166% and winning the class of 13 participants.
"After the European Championships in Turin, Nadine had a well earned holiday. 2007 was a busy year and the mare deserved a period of total relaxation," Hans Peter explained. "We picked up training again in the new year and have been doing some fine tuning with Anky van Grunsven to make Nadine stronger and quicker. I think the scores of total prove that it is working. This was a result I can only dream of and I know there still are some points to improve."
Marlies van Baalen and the Dutch warmblood stallion Kigali (by Wolfgang x Voltaire) finished second in the Grand Prix with 71.74%. Especially the tempi changes every single stride earned her a 9.
"Kigali was very fresh during the warm up. Fortunately we could transform this in positive energy," Marlies van Baalen commented. "I'm that I competed Kigali one more time before Indoor Brabant, so that we could work on the details. I'm super happy with this test and this score."
In the Intermediaire II, Edward Gal made his debut with the Dutch small tour champion Sisther de Jeu (by Gribaldi x Amor). The mare showed to be in full controll of all the big tour movements and made a strong statement that she'll be a Grand Prix horse to be reckoned with. They scored 70,65% winning the class with almost 6% point advantage to the second placed pair.
"The piaffe and passage were really beautiful," Gal stated. "I lost a few points this time on the normal movements like the halt and the rein back. Next time, we'll do the Grand Prix."
The Prix St Georges was won by the 26-year old Sarah van Fessem on the 8-year old Dutch warmblood mare Randy Star (by Lancet x Chronos x Amor). The dark bay mare, who is owned by Mr. Buwalda, scored 68.375% and beat Ria Strous on Slegro (by Negro) and Anne van Olst on Exquis Taikoen (by Negro). A fourth place went to Alex van Silfhout on Nifango (by Contango). He took over the ride on the chestnut gelding a few weeks ago since the tragic, untimely passing of his owner, young rider Nathalie van den Broek. Van Silfhout and Nifango scored 66%.
Photo copyrighted: Dirk Caremans
Results
Prix St Georges
- 1. Fessem, Sarah van - Randy Star - 68.375
- 2. Strous, Ria - Slegro - 67.5
- 2. Olst, Anne van - Exquis Taikoen - 67.5
- 4. Silfhout, Alex van - Nifango - 66
- 5. Collins, Leida - Rex - 65.75
- 6. Wernsen, Wilma - Oklarette - 65.625
- 7. Ploeg, Linda van der - Cool Cracker S - 64.125
- 8. Schaft, Inge van der - Odurin - 64
- 9. Wiep Kwakernaak - Pablo's Henry - 63.5
- 10. Kessels, Fleur - Ambra - 63.375
Intermediaire II
- 1. Gal, Edward - Sisther De Jeu - 70.650
- 2. Rahmouni, Yessin - Only Society - 64.227
- 3. Visser, Tommie - Blue Ocean - 63.658
- 4. Huberts, Tonnie - Othello - 60.081
- 5. Boucher, Olga - Merudin - 59.837
- 6. Gottmer, Nars - Palmarino - 58.292
- 7. Olst, Anne van - Exquis Spargo - 57.154
Grand Prix
- 1. Minderhoud, Hans-Peter - Exquis Nadine - 74.166
- 2. Baalen, Marlies van - Kigali - 71.736
- 3. Uytert, Anne van - Lucky Times - 70.486
- 4. Haazen, Jeannette - Nartan - 70.208
- 5. Gal, Edward- Next One - 68.541
- 6. Gal, Edward - Gribaldi - 68.402
- 7. Laarakkers, Christa - Ovation - 67.986
- 8. Schaft, Rien van der - Madorijke - 65.694
- 9. Haazen, Jeannette - Quicksilver - 65.555
- 10. Olst, Anne van - Dexter W - 64.652
- 11. Visser, Tosca - Moorlands Opportunity - 63.194
- 12. Kniestedt, Marjolein - NCS Let's Dance - 62.569
- 13. Soek, Karin - Picasso SV - 61.875
Related Links
Nathalie van den Broek Passed Away
Sisther de Jeu at the 2005 World Young Horse Championships