Grand Prix Pony Hilkens Denali Retired from Sport

Dressage

Australia

The Australian based and Grand Prix level competed dressage pony Hilkens Denali has been retire from sport. Equestrian Life reported the news first.

Hilkens Denali is a 20-year old German Riding pony by Dreamcatcher out of Schamila (by Black Boy x Brillant). He is bred by Sabine Meiners

Germany

Bred in Germany, the bay gelding was licensed as a premium colt at the 2007 Hanoverian Pony Stallion Licensing in Verden, but did not sire any offspring in Germany registered with the FN.

New Zealand

Denali sold as a young pony stallion to Amy de Langen in New Zealand and moved to AD Pony Stud. He started producing his first crop of foals in 2009, producing a small handful consistently each year through 2017.

De Langen trained the pony up to Grand Prix level and competed him up to small tour level. For his achievements he was awarded Principle Status in the NZ Warmblood Stud Blood in 2012.

In 2016 daughter Caitlin De Langen took over the ride from her mum and showed Denali in the FEI pony classes at the 2017 CDI-W Feilding, the only international the pony did.

Australia

Upon hearing Denali was for sale, Australian Wendy Lorincz flew to New Zealand to try out the bay and acquired him in 2017. She gelded him and then first competed him herself, earning the State Champion's title and national Advanced Champion's at the Australian Championships in 2019.

With his talent for Grand Prix unexplored, Wendy passed on the ride to Alison Gill. The new pair began competing at Grand Prix level in 2021 and achieved their career high score of 68.478% in January 2022.

“He certainly isn’t like riding a pony, he’s like riding a big horse; he has all the power and balance and cadence. He has a great attitude and a super work ethic. I can honestly say there has not been a horse or pony that’s been more fun than Denali to take to this level,” said Alison in a 2023 interview with Equestrian Life

At his final show at 2025 CDN Bawley Point

At the 2024 Australian Grand Prix Championships in Sydney the pair finished second in the Special with 67.830% and third in the Kur with 72.320%. He became the only pony in Australia to have ever competed in a Grand Prix Special.

Retirement

After their last national show at Dressage by the Sea at Willinga Park on 1 - 2 March 2025 it was decided for the 20-year old Denali to be retired from sport.

"The pint-sized piaffe powerhouse has been a favourite among spectators and fellow competitors alike since he began competing at Grand Prix level in 2021," Equestrian Life posted in a career overview."