The second Dutch selection trial for the 2016 World Young Horse Championships took place on Friday 6 May 2016 in Kootwijk, The Netherlands. The 5-year old Guardian S, the 6-year old Cum Laude and the 7-year old Esperance became the winners of the classes.
For 2016 the Dutch Equestrian Federation and KWPN society decided on a new selection format. Instead of hosting a series of training events/observation trials, the Dutch selectors will now make their pick through a competition format with three qualifiers (Delft, Kootwijk, Etten-Leur) and a semi-finals in Ermelo.
In the 5-year old division Kim Koolen steered the KWPN licensed stallion Guardian S (by Bodyguard x Trento B) to victory with 83.4 points. The pair bested a field of 18 combinations. Dana van Lierp and the liver chestnut stallion Gunner KS (by Belissimo M) were second with 79.4 points, followed by Jennifer Sekreve on Garmante D (by Contango) with 78.8 points.
In the 6-year old division Vai Bruntink aced the class aboard the AES approved Cum Laude (by Apache) with 81.8 points. Mirelle van Kemenade-Witlox and the bay KWPn stallion Ferdinand (by Vivaldi) were the runners-up with 76 points and they adged out Geert-Jan Raateland on Painted RDH (by Painted Black) with 75.6 points.
For the first time the World Young Horse Championships will also host an official 7-year old division. At the Dutch trial in Kootwijk, the Danish Bettina Jaeger won the 7-year old division on Esperance (by Sorento x Rousseau) with 77.13%. Last October this pair won the 2015 Danish young horse championships in Odense. Theo Hanzon and Eddieni (by Johnson) slotted in second with 76.80% and Vai Bruntink was third on Ebony (by Painted Black) with 76.37%
Photo © Ridehesten
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2016 World Young Horse Championships