Gigolo K, Fallatijn, Elysias Win 2015 KNHS Subli Championships

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2015 Dutch Young Horse Championships

The 4-year old Gigolo K, the 5-year old Fallatijn and the 6-year old Elysias became the winners of the 2015 Dutch Young Horse Championships held in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on 18 - 20 December 2015. The Dutch Young Horse Championships are called the KNHS Subli Championships in The Netherlands and are open to all breeds, whereas the other Dutch young horse championship - the Pavo Cup - is restricted to only KWPN bred horses.

This means that the KNHS Subli Championships are in fact the most important young horse championships in The Netherlands, organized by the Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS). Combinations can only qualify via a series of selection trials held all over the country during the outdoor season.

Gigolo K Wins 4-year old Division

The 4-year old division was judged by the trio Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode, Jeanine van Twist and Patricia Wolters and they were ecstatic about the winning combination, Femke de Laat on the Dutch bred Gigolo K (by Chippendale x Rousseau). De Laat discovered her youngster as a foal and has trained him herself. The duo won the finals with a score of 83.60 points.

"This horse scores well on all sections of the test. He has good cadance in trot, nice scope in canter and a very good walk," said the judging panel. De Laat was on cloud nine with her national title. "Gigolo K is a very nice horse. he is bred by my friend Dirk and his brother Daan Kosters. He's a complete horse with three good gaits. He always does his best in the ring," said the rider. "We already qualified for the finals early in the season and the last few months I didn't ride many tests. It's great to win the finals."

Jonna Schelstraete and Grand Charmeur (by Apache x Cocktail) became the reserve champions with 82.60 points. "It's a nice horse with lovely trot extensions. We were enthused by his potential to collect," said judge De Wolff. Jonna commented that, "it went really well today. I've been riding Grand Charmeur for four months and this was his fourth test. He always does his best and it feels like he's been doing this for years."

5-year old Fallntijn Supreme

Theo Hanzon on Fallatijn Theo Hanzon and the chestnut Fallatijn (by Vivaldo x Cabochon) stayed well ahead of the competition to win the 5-year old championship with a finals' test that earned him 83 points. Fallatijn stood out with nice cadance and clarity in the rhythm in trot. The pair was third at last year's championships but now moved into gold medal position. Hanzon has owned Fallatijn since he was a three year old.

"Last year we got as comment that we needed to work more on each stride. He has much talent for collection so we trained hard at working him over the back and getting more length in the strides. It worked out," said Hanzon. "Fallatijn has a great attitude and after I discovered him he had lived up to the expectations for 100%. He's still a stallion and I begin to notice that lately. If I leave him his dignity he'll do everything for me. He's sharp and won't stick to my leg."

Jennifer Sekreve and last year's 4-year old champion Forty (by UB40 x Contango) were unable to extend their title and had to settle for silver in the 5-year old division. The duo scored 80.40 points in the final round.

"I'm super happy," said Jennifer. "I didn't expect Forty to be so sharp in the finals test. He launched himself twice, so that's when it didn't go as smooth in the test and I lost points. But it's also a sign that he can handle the work in a second test."

Elysias Thrills Rider Nijvelt

Karen Nijvelt on Elysias Karen Nijvelt was absolutely thrilled with winning the title on her 6-year old Dutch bred Elysias (by Jazz x Rhodium). The duo narrowly edged out the second-placed pair, Theo Hanzon on Eddieni (by Johnson x Negro), with 83.40 points. Hanzon scored 83.00 points for the reserve title. The judges praised Elysias for his beautiful, active trot with good shoulder freedom and a very good walk. Eddieni probably lost the title because of one missed flying change, but still the horse excelled with his cadance in the traversal movements.

"I'm super happy," said Nijvelt after winning gold. "I think that Elysias will be a world horse. I've been riding him since he was four. His owner Niels Lenaerts saddle broke him. He wants to see him go Grand Prix so he's not for sale at the moment. I know for sure he'll do Grand Prix. He's only six and it's still a long road but he already does the Grand Prix movements so easily. This is one of the better horses I've ever ridden."

Results - 2015 Dutch Young Horse Championships

4-year olds

1. Gigolo K (Chippendale x Rousseau) - Femke de Laat - 83.60 pts
2. Grand Charmeur (Apache x Cocktail) - Jonna Schelstrate van Ham - 82.60 pts
3. Great Lady TC (Bretton Woods x Osmium) - Jeanine Nieuwenhuis - 81.40 pts
4. Falcon (Apache x Donnerhall) - Femke de Laat - 79.20 pts
5. Ghandi (Charmeur x Ferro) - Laura Zwart - 77.60 pts
5. Top’s Go for It (Jazz x Negro) - Theo Hanzon - 77.60 pts

5-year olds

1. Fallatijn (Vivaldi x Cabochon) - Theo Hanzon - 83 pts
2. Forty (UB 40 x Contango) - Jennifer Sekreve - 80.40 pts
3. Fossbury (Ampere x Sandro Hit) - Carlijn Vaessen - 79.80 pts
4. Farzana (Ampere x Florencio) - Lisanne der Nederlanden - 78.40 pts
5. Ferrero (Rhodium x Olivi) - Jennifer Sekreve - 75.60 pts
6. Firenze (Westpoint x Donnerhall) - Lisanne der Nederlanden - 72.20 pts

6-year olds

1. Elysias (Jazz x Rhodium) - Karen Nijvelt - 83.40 pts
2. Eddieni (Johnson x Negro) - Theo Hanzon - 83.00 pts
3. Elvive (Tuschinski x Don Schufro) - Veronique Roerink - 82.60 pts
4. Enton (Wynton x San Remo) - Esmee van Geitenbeek - 76.40 pts
5. Endyrava (Lord Leatherdale x Monaco) - Femke de Laat - 75.20 pts