Thessa Gilbers Wins 2018 Dutch Pony Championships

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2018 Dutch Pony Championships

Thessa Gilbers and Baumann's Despino capped off their last year at FEI Pony level with the National Champion's title which they earned by winning the Kur to Music at the 2018 Dutch pony Championships in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on Saturday 25 August 2018.

Gilbers made an incredible push for power this summer. Originally selected as just the alternate for the Dutch pony team at the 2018 European Pony Championships, the pair was called to duty when Evi van Rooij dropped out last minute with an injured pony. At the Europeans Gilbers worked her way and became the best scoring Dutch pair at the event.

At the 2018 Dutch pony nationals she continued that impressive streak on her 8-year old Westfalian bred German Riding Pony Despino (by Don't Worry x Rosedale Tiberius). They scored a winning 75.00% in the Kur to Music.

"This is not normal, so cool," said a baffled Gilbers. "I think I was able to set my nerves aside and that is why it's all been going so well. I did not expect this at all. Today everything went well too. It just needed to be a bit neater, but it was a wonderful conclusion," said the 16-year old Gilbers, who trains with young rider Febe van Zwambagt.

Gilbers will now move on to horses and her pony has already been sold to Dutch children/pony rider Lara van Nek.

The reserve champion was Dutch pony team member Fleur Prinsen on the 10-year old Westfalian gelding Next Black Magic (by Nabucco R x Pour L'Amour). They scored 72.875% to finish second in the freestyle.

The 13-year old Micky Schelstraete and the 16-year old German Riding pony stallion Elin's Noncisdador (by Nostradamus) became the bronze medalists. They were the champions last year but now settled for second place with a 72.667% earning freestyle.

Results - 2018 Dutch Pony Championships - Ermelo

Kur to Music

1. Thessa Gilbers- Baumann's Despino - 75,000
2. Fleur Prinsen - Next Black Magic - 72,875
3. Micky Schelstraete - Elin's Noncisdador - 72,667
4. Nina Woerts - Bodethal's Kosima - 71,583
5. Morgan Walraven - Devill's Kiss Naoni - 70,375
6. Evi Van Rooij - Den Östrik's Macho - 70,042
7. Nikki Van de Borne - Viva La Bam - 69,500
8. Jo-anne Koch - Beauty Star - 69,000
9. Tatum Nugteren - Del Piero - 68,333
10. Noa van Rijbroek - Bugatti - 67,792
11. Rowena Weggelaar - Navarone van de Beekerheide - 67,792
Senna Evers - Majos Cannon - ELI