Evi Van Rooij Wins 2019 Dutch Outdoor Pony Championship

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2019 Dutch Dressage Championships

Dutch pony team rider Evi van Rooij won the national title at the 2019 Dutch Outdoor Pony Championships which were held on Saturday 24 August 2019.

No less than 43 combinations comped in the first round of the FEI pony level championship. Riders were split up into two groups. Only the twelve highest scoring pairs moved on to the Kur to Music finals later that day.

After already collecting the national indoor champion's title in the winter, van Rooij and King Stayerhof's Jango (by) went out to bag the outdoor title as well. They were second in the first roud with 73.889% and scored a winning 76.00% in the Kur to Music for the gold medal.

Lara van Nek, who won silver at the 2019 European Children Championship on Atilinda, was back on her pony Baumann's Despino for the Nationals and earned silver after winning the first round with 76.068% and got second place in the Kur with 75.958%%. As of 2020, Van Nek has two more years to compete in ponies, but will also be riding in the junior division with her two horses Fariska and Atilinda (aka Amazing Grace).

The bronze medal went to Floor van der Kuijl on Champ of Daily, who posted 73.675% in the first round and scored 75.958% in the Kur to Music. This is her last year on ponies.

The gold and bronze medal winner were both members of the Dutch team that earned silver at the 2019 European Pony Championships in Strzegom, Poland, three weeks ago. Holland's best scorer, Micky Schelstraete on the 17-year old Elin's Noncisdador, was absent from the Nationals as her pony stallion has been retired from competition sport and returned home to her owner Rose van der Lof. The fourth Dutch team rider, Robin Heiden, placed fourth at the Nationals.

"That was close," said winner Evi van Rooij. "I was very pleased with the trot part, the canter tour could have been better, I thought. One judge had me very high, which is why I won. I've already won many titles. I knew today it would be a really strong division. I didn't expect to win. Together with Floor, Robin and Micky we won team silver at the Europeans and individually I was eighth. After that this (title) is a nice finish to the year. My parents are always there for me and I have much to thank because of Imke Schellekens' and Marlies van Baalen's lessons. My pony was very fit after the Europeans and I could still notice that today."

Results - 2019 Dutch Outdoor Pony Championships - Kur to Music finals

1. Evi Van Rooij - King Stayerhof's Jango - 76.000
2. Lara van Nek - Baumann's Despino - 75,958
3. Floor Van der Kuijl - Champ of Daily - 75,958
4. Robin Heiden - Colourfull Cannonball - 75,75
5. Nina Woerts - Madam's Menno - 69,958
6. Senna Evers - Majos Cannon - 69,833
7. Tessa van Hemert - Noordhof's Surprise - 69,375
8. Liz Bouman - Ruby - 68,458
9. Sam Cuppen- Dilara - 67,917
10. Senna Van de Gevel - Irakion - 67,25
11. Esmee Zwaagstra - Desperado - 67,125
12. Frederique Van Zeeland - Drops - 66,5