Dutch Children Team Horse Don Diablo Changes Riders

Tue, 12/08/2020 - 12:04
The Netherlands
Veerle van Hof and Don Diablo at the 2020 CDI Lier :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Veerle van Hof's Dutch team ride Don Diablo has been taken over by Dutch children rider Kyra Jonkers until the horse is sold. 

Don Diablo is 12-year old Dutch warmblood by Westpoint out of Wyona van 't Zwaanenheike (by Polansky). He is bred by M. Heynert-Hermans and owned by Philip Hermans. 

Under Veerle van Hof, the black gelding made his international debut at the Aachen Youngsters Days in December 2019. 

In 2020 the pair made a strong impression at the CDI Lier at the end of February, right before the first corona lockdown. In Lier they scored 73.637%, 77.222% and 75.130%. They won silver at the 2020 Dutch Children Championships.

The duo was selected on the Dutch team for the 2020 European Children Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, and won team silver. Individually they finished 10th in the team test with 76.092%.

Advertised for sale on Eurodressage, Don Diablo has been temporarily allocated to Dutch pony rider Kyra Jonkers, who will make her transition to children level with Don Diablo, until the horse sells. Jonkers has been competing at Dutch regional level with ponies Esperado and Romero. 

"Don Diablo is a horse I learnt so much from," said parting rider Veerle van Hof. "I rode the most beautiful shows with him, in particular the European Championships, Aachen and Dutch Championships. And I have many more beautiful memories I'll never forget."

Photo © Astrid Appels

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