Daphne van Peperstraten Wins 2015 Dutch Outdoor Pony Championships

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2015 Dutch Pony Championships

After claiming the 2015 KNHS FEI Pony Cup title in the spring, Daphne van Peperstraten added the 2015 Dutch Outdoor Pony Champion's title to her strong list of achievements this year. Van Peperstraten was already the best Dutch rider at the 2015 European Pony Championships in Malmo, Sweden, at the beginning of August and has now become Holland's number one, winning the Nationals in Ermelo on 29 August 2015.

The Dutch pony championships entail two rounds: a warm up round in the morning in which all qualified riders are divided into two groups. The six high-scorers of each group are entitled to ride the Kur to Music finals in the afternoon.

Aboard Don Camillo du Bois (by Dornik B), Van Peperstraten won the first round with 73.97% ahead of team mate Eveline Bos on Valentino (by Dornik Double) with 73.03%. Zoe Kuintjes landed third place on Elin's Noncisdador (by Nostradamus) with 72.52%.

The same ranking repeated itself in the Kur to Music finals in the afternoon, in which Daphne topped the leader board with a whopping, winning score of 79.792%. Daphne won her first National FEI Pony level title after getting silver at the 2015 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships. The duo will be back for more in 2016.

The Weert based Eveline Bos is in her last year on ponies, though, and gave it her all aboard Valentino. A student of Nicolette van Leeuwen, Bos rode a personal best score in the kur when she posted 78.542% on the board. She finished her pony career with a national silver medal. Kuintjes landed the bronze with her 76.417% earning freestyle.

"I got tough competition from Eveline and Zoe," said Van Peperstraten. "I really liked it, this is magical gold. I hope I can keep this form and ride the European Championships again next year. After the Europeans in Malmo Don Camillo got a week rest and after that I went on holiday to Portugal for a week and he was trained by Marlies van Baalen. I've picked up riding again a week ago and it went really well. Both tests went well today. Last winter I had silver, now I really went for the victory. This was the chance to become champion and I had to take it."

Results - 2015 Dutch Outdoor Pony Championships

FINALS - Kur to Music

1. Daphne van Peperstraten - Don Camillo Du Bois- 79,792
2. Eveline Bos - Valentino - 78,542
3. Zoe Kuintjes - Elin's Nonsisdador - 76,417
4. Guusje van Heeswijk - Don Diego - 73,917
5. Kim Noordijk - Ico Van De Beekerheide - 72,833
6. Jitske Prosman - Charina Du Bois - 72,250
7. Jildou Kooistra - Dornier - 69,583
8. Milou Dees - Mystery Dancer - 69,042
9. Amber de Groot - Rhyfedd Spike - 68,792
10. Meike Kroot - Diamond Hit - 67,708
11. Jessica Poelman - Haasendonk's Sultan - 67,083
12. Eveline Dees - Coelenhage's Las Vegas - 67,000