Marlies van Baalen's Small Tour Ride Hulana T Sold to British Youth Rider

Dressage

Great Britain

Marlies van Baalen's small tour level competed ride Hulana T has been sold to a British youth rider. The mare will continue her sport career under British young rider Lily Laughton.

Hulana T is an 11-year old Dutch warmblood mare by Ampere out of Dealana T (by Florencio x Nabuur). She is bred by C. Twint and was owned by Erik Twint.

Decorated Mare

The bright bay Hulana T became the reserve champion at the KWPN Mare Championships in Ermelo in 2015 as a 3-year old.

She first had a career as broodmare and produced no less than seven foals before picking up sport. Five foals are owned by the breeder Emmie Twint and two were sold. The most famous offspring is Leeghwater T (by Governor) who is now competing at small tour level in the USA with Katherine Shumacher.

Marlies van Baalen

Marlies has been riding Hulana for two years. The mare made her international show debut only recently at the 2023 CDI Kronenberg in July where she scored 70.343% to finish third in the Prix St Georges, but then she was retired in the Intermediaire I.

Marlies took her to the CDI Leeuwarden in October, where they were fourth and second with 71 and 74% scores. At the CDI Kronenberg indoor at the start of December, they were fifth in the PSG with 71.226%, third in the Inter I with 72.157% and won the freestyle with 77.233%.

Lily Laughton

Hulana T has now been sold to the British young rider Lily Laughton. Marlies announced the news on Instagram on 15 December 2023.

"Searching for a top Young Rider horse, this match couldn’t be better," Marlies stated. "We’re looking forward to guide Lily & Hulana during their Young Rider season. Thank you so much Emmie Twint for your trust and confidence over years."

Laughton and Romadinov at the 2023 CDI Le Mans

Laughton began her international dressage career in 2018 on former British team pony Ode to Shannon (by Washington Postman). They competed at CDI's in Keysoe, Deauville. In 2019 she showed pony Steendieks Cadillac (by FS Chambertin x Nurejew) and in 2021 made the transition to junior level with Danubio (by Decurio x Avantgarde). In 2023 the Laughton family secured the 17-year old Danish medal winning team horse Skovborgs Romadinov (by Romanov) as a schoolmaster. Lily made it onto the British team with him and won team bronze at the 2023 European Young Riders Championships in Pilisjaszfalu (HUN). They were 19th in the individual test. Lily last competed the liver chestnut in one test at the CDI Kronenberg indoor.

The 19-year old has been working at Van Baalen stables for the past three months and knows Hulana T from daily training.

"It feels very surreal to be able to take over the reins on Hulana and I will work hard everyday to do my best by her," said Lily. "I have totally fallen in love with this very special girl."