Evi van Rooij Wins 2019 Dutch Indoor Pony Championship

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2019 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships

Evi van Rooij and King Stayerhof's Jango became the gold medalists at FEI pony level at the 2019 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on 17 March 2019.

In a neck-to-neck race with Dutch pony team routinier Micky Schelstraete on Elin's Noncisdador, Van Rooij and Jango (by Kosmo van Orchid's) won round 1 with 75,000% and was second in the Kur with 76,292%. Their overall total of 75,646% put them at the top of the podium.

"This is the nicest present I could have got," said Van Rooij who celebrated her 15th birthday in Ermelo. "I just wanted to ride two nice tests and didn't expect this. "I was very nervous for my freestyle. To start the afternoon with the victory in the first round is of course nice. I was very happy with my kur, even though Jango was a bit tired after the first test. I really didn't know if we would win. Everybody was riding well in the finals. This is the nicest title I have won in the last few years."

Van Rooij, whose dad Arthur van Rooij is an FEI rider himself, has been onboard Jango for two years. Her goal is to compete at the 2019 European Pony Championships. They were already selected on the team last year but had to withdraw last minute due to an injury. Evi's younger sister Nina won bronze earlier on the day at L2 level. For the Van Rooij's dressage is a family affair.

Title defender Micky Schelstraete and the van der Lof family's 17-year old German bred Elin's Noncisdador (by Nostradamus) landed the silver medal with an average of 75.466% after scoring 73.974% and 76.958%. The grey stallion is in his last year as a competition pony.

Lilli van Hoogen and Martinez Candyman (by Champion de Luxe) scored the bronze with 72.389% after earning 71.111% and 73.667%.

Judge Patricia Wolters-Van den Berg was pleased with the quality of riding in the Kur. "We saw nice freestyles, well ridden to the music. These are experienced riders who know how to ride a kur and how to present their ponies. It was pure joy."

Eight combinations in total participated in the 2019 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships.

Results - 2019 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships - Ermelo

1. Evi van Rooij - King Stayerhof's Jango - 75,646% (75,000 + 76,292)
2. Micky Schelstraete - Elin's Noncisdador - 75,466% (73,974 + 76,958)
3. Lilli van Hoogen - Martinez Candyman - 72,389% (71,111 + 73,667)