Sharing the same setting as the international Grand Prix dressage competition, three national classes took place at the 2009 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch which produced Theo Hanzon, Kelly Outhuyse and Kim Vugts as winners.
Rabo Future Test
Dressage took centre stage in the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch with the Rabo Future Test, an "simplified" version of the Grand Prix test for young(er) riders making the transition to Grand Prix level. Participants get the chance to compete against their peers instead of having to face professional star riders that add pressure to performance.
O-judge Jan Peeters created the Future Fest, following the German model of the successful Piaff Forderpreis.
The 27-year old former young rider turned pro Theo Hanzon won the Future Test aboard the Dutch warmblood bred Spargo (by Krack C x Boreas). The long legged bay gelding showed the most confirmed form at Grand Prix level with extremely solid piaffe and passage.
Spargo is extremely gifted in these collected movements, but also has great potential in the trot half passes with his legs covering much ground. The judges unanimously placed Hanzon first with 68.333%, but the score raises the question wheterh the judges saw Spargo's tongue sticking out in the second piaffe and passage? Albeit, Spargo was the most confirmed and best performing Grand Prix horse in the test.
"I was very happy with this victory," Hanzon said. "Especially because the Indoor championships in Ermelo went so wrong last weekend. Now, I was much more relaxed and Spargo was in good form. He went really well, showed nice trot extentions, a very good zig zag en a good walk. I had a small mistake in the two tempi's and there were a little communication problem in the ones. But after all I was very content."
Thamar Zweistra, who is employed at Leunis van Lieren's stable Hexagon in Dutch Seeland, finished second aboard Hexagons Truppa. This chestnut gelding was Zweistra's mount at the World Young Horse Championhips a few years ago and has now gradually moved on the levels.
Truppa is by Rubiquil (by Rubinstein) out of a Rinaldo dam. He has a very cadenced and rhythmical piaffe and passage, but during the test the horse was consistently pushing his head and neck up avoinding efficient back usage. If he gets more over the back, I'm sure the scores will go up much. The judges marked the ride 64.907% which placed them second.
Yessin Rahmouni was the first rider to go on Thursday morning and he landed a third place with his 13-year old Dutch warmblood Only Society (by Damocles). The combination received 63.240% from the judges.
The 24-year old Yessin started riding Only Society, nicknamed 'Pipo', three and half years ago and trains with Anky van Grunsven as well as with his employer Tommie Visser. He's the head rider at Visser's barn breaking the youngsters and riding Visser's horses when he is out to teach himself.
Z1 and Z2 Kur to Music
It must have been an amazing sensation for a selected few regional, lower level riders to compete in the huge Brabanthallen indoor arena with VIP boxes filled with the rich and elite of the international equestrian world and the stands half packed (as it was a weekday)
The regional third level kur to music championship (Z1-level) was won by Kelly Outhuyse on her charming 8-year old Dutch gelding Usan (by Jazz). She rode to fun up to date music that was catchy and well matching her horse's movements.
Kim Vugts and Pik Noir won the Z2-level Kur to Music (Fourth level). With a score of 73.000%, Vugts stayed at least 3% ahead of second placed Christel van der Linden. Two weeks ago, Vugts became Dutch Indoor Champion at Z2 level with her 14-year old Hanoverian bred gelding Pik Noir (by Pik Pavarotti). In Den Bosch she won the regional championships.
Vugts is coached by Coby van Baalen, former Dutch Olympic team rider. Van Baalen was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing a second session of chemo therapy. We wish Van Baalen much strength and a speedy recovery!
Text and photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
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