Femke Beljon Obtains Ride on Uphill and Winningmood

Breeding

KWPN Breeding News

The licensed breeding stallions Uphill and Winningmood have moved into training with 27-year old Dutch FEI rider Femke Beljon, who has been given the opportunity compete these renowned Dutch warmblood stallions.

Both stallions are owned by Gert-Jan van Norel, who asked Beljon to present his stallions at last weeken's stallion show. The performances there were considered a success so that the pair agreed to continue their collaboration. The two horses were previously shown by Dutch A-team rider Diederik van Silfhout.

The 15-year old Dutch warmblood Uphill (by Oscar x Apollonios) has been trained up to Grand Prix level. As a youngster he was ridden by Emmelie Scholtens who finished third with him at the 2006 Pavo Cup Finals and who rode him for the KWPN society at the 2007 World Young Horse Championships. When Scholtens moved to south Holland, Christa Larmoyeur took over the ride. In the winter of 2012-2013 the horse moved in training with Diederik van Silfhout.

The 13-year old Rhinelander bred Winningmood (by Prado x Donnerwind) has only been competed twice at a CDI. Under Van Silfhout the stallion showed at the 2012 CDI Vidauban and the 2013 CDI Drachten.

Beljon has already presented Uphill and Winningmood to the public at Van Norel's stallion show in Wapenveld, The Netherlands as well as on Sunday 10 April at the Spring Breeders' Meeting at Dressage Performance Centre Lodbergen in Germany.

"Every horse girl dreams of such things," said Beljon. "I'm so happy with this fantastic opportunity. It was really great working with these two gentlemen (Uphill and Winningmood at the stallion show). In the few weeks before the show we were already making tremendous progress, even though they haven't been worked under saddle in a long time. I'm convinced that I can progress in sport with these two stallions. I'm going to give it my all."