Hans Peter Minderhoud's 14-year old Grand Prix horse Withney van 't Genthof has been retired from competition. The black gelding will send his remaining years at home with his owner Bart van Malderen in Belgium.
"What he achieved was amazing. Having been successful at Grand Prix level for six years, he should now enjoy his retirement. He definitely deserves it,” said Minderhoud.
The Belgian warmblood gelding (by Ferro x Balzflug) started his dressage career in Belgium as a youngster. Stefan van Ingelgem brought the black, then licensed stallion Withney van 't Waaihof from young horse to Grand Prix level. In 2008 the pair became Belgian Grand Prix champions and Van Ingelgem was able to convince Ontex business entrepreneur Bart van Malderen to buy the stallion from owners Paul and Ingrid Inghels-Naessens.
Van Ingelgem continued to ride Withney van 't Genthof - the suffix refers to Van Malderen's farm - with great success. Their best years were in 2009 and 2010 as they pair got to compete twice at the CDIO Aachen and represented Belgium at the European Championships in Windsor and World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
In the spring of 2011 Withney moved to the stables of Hans Peter Minderhoud in order to be sold. The Dutch team rider was able to book some nice successes with the stallion in a period of two years and got submitted to the Dutch A-team. More recently the stallion was gelded and struggled with fitness issues. At his last two international shows in Odense and West Palm Beach, the horse had to be withdrawn from competition. The pair's last international win together was in September 2012 at the show in Villach, Austria, hosted at the yard of Minderhoud's sponsor Gaston Glock.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Withney van 't Genthof
Minderhoud Promoted to A-team with Withney van 't Genthof
Belgian WEG Dressage Team Confirmed, Fassaert Included
Withney van 't Waaihof Sold
Stefan van Ingelgem, 2008 Belgian Dressage Champion