Holland's number one FEI dressage pony has been sold to Germany. Lisanne Zoutendijk's multiple European Championship medal winning pony has been sold to 11-year old Valentina Pistner.
Lisanne Zoutendijk ended her pony career on Champ of Class with team bronze, individual test silver and kur bronze at the 2014 European Pony Championships an the 2014 Dutch Outdoor Pony Champion's title. The pony came for sale right after the Dutch nationals and has now been sold to the Pistner family.
The 10-year old German Riding Pony gelding Champ of Class (by Champion de Luxe x Dornik B) was discovered by Coby van Baalen and Tim Coomans at the 2009 Westfalian Elite Auction, where the trainers' duo bought the buckskin for 11,000 euro.
Van Baalen paired Champ of Class to Sanne Vos, who won team silver at the 2011 European Pony Championships and team silver, individual test gold and kur silver at the 2012 European Pony Championships in Fontainebleau, France. Afterwards Coby matched Champ to her student Zoutendijk.
Champ of Class's new rider Valentina Pistner has been riding ponies Josephine and Nagano's Son as well as her brother Constantin's Lordy. She will be training her new pony at Coby van Baalen's yard in The Netherlands.
"The pony has always been with Coby and we are not planning to change anything," Valentina's mom Nicole Pistner told Eurodressage, "especially because they are doing an excellent job."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Zoutendijk Ends Pony Career with 2014 Dutch Outdoor Pony Champion's Title
Vos and Champ of Class Win 2011-2012 KNHS FEI Pony Cup Finals
Champ of Class Sold to Lisanne Zoutendijk
Lennox Luis, Price Highlight at the 2009 Munster Spring Elite Auction
History of the European Pony Championships