A new generation of Dutch fledgling Grand Prix horses has taken flight at the 2026 CDI Exloo, the first Dutch team observation trial for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen.
The CDI Exloo took place on
Taking Flight, Bidding a Training System Farewell?
More than a decade ago the Dutch team surprised friend and foe when they captured team gold at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen. However in the following years the Dutch team lost its team medal scoring power.
Dutch equestrian media adamantly believe this team medal drought will be coming to an end with a new group of Grand Prix horses breaking through on the scene. In Exloo they gave a first taste of the potential.
The major question remains whether Dutch Dressage will bury its tradition of riding in mimicry of their greatest example and most successful Dutch dressage rider ever, Anky van Grunsven. Several high performance Dutch riders still emulate her principles of riding or were nurtured by disciples of her system. Furthermore, in the past two decades Dutch horse breeding still focused more on hotness and athleticism - caused by the dominance of Jazz blood - and rideability was a side-quest. Nowadays, rideability has taken priority and Dutch breeding has slowly been putting equal importance on those qualities.
With dressage judging having taken a preference for more harmony, relaxation and lightness, the question is whether the Dutch will succeed in adopting these demands as part of their riding with this new generation of horses. Short necks, tense top-lines, and tricked mechanical leg movers - no matter from which country - should no longer receive the scores they were generously getting ten to twenty years ago.
Van der Putten and Zantana Carry the Torch
The 2026 CDI Exloo was the first of three team selection/observation trials leading up to Aachen. The Dutch Championships and CDIO Rotterdam will be next.
"I'm just super proud," said Marieke, who trains with Marion Schreuder. "We are becoming more and more a team together and she gives me the feeling that there is still room for improvement!! The feeling she gave me today was great and she did the test with so much confidence."
Holland's former number one, Dinja van Liere and Hermes, are no longer a pair. She has passed on the torch on her hot KWPN bred stallion (by Trakehner Easy Game x Flemmingh x Jazz) to the co-owners daughter, Eline Anker, who successfully debuted him in Exloo to a double win in the Under 25 division. Anker and Hermas scored 73.774% in the Interlediaire II and 72.607% in the short Grand Prix, making them immediate candidates for the Dutch team for the 2026 European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu.
"I'm so proud they were able to get this all done at their second show together," said the team behind Eline. Dinja added on social media, "I really enjoyed watching that. She rode so brilliantly well." Co-owner Joop van Uytert added, "kickkkkkk.so happy with this."
Fledglings Fly
(Photo © Nadine de Jong)
Van Liere has two new Grand Prix horses in the pipeline and sped up Mauro's debut as he's now her number one for team consideration. The 9-year old KWPN stallion Mauro (by Zonik x Negro) did his first international Grand Prix in Exloo and was second twice with 73.022% in the Grand Prix and 73.787% in the Special. Mauro is bred by Jan Greve and is originally named Mauro van de Watermolen. He is co-owned by Eugene Reesink and Eric Koele of Turfhorst stud.
"What an international dream debut," Dinjka stated. "We got great score sin th Grand Prix and Special despite real mistakes and many points for improvement. Oh my god, the sky is the limit with this one."
Dinja also debuted Vincent van Gasselt's 13-year old KWPN bred I'm Special (by Johnson x Mooiman) in the medium tour for a double win with 68% scores.
Dutch team rider Thamar Zweistra also bumped up her small tour horse, Mr Magnum (by Expression x Valdez), to big tour level and finished third in the Grand Prix with 71.587%. She did not bring her number one, Luxuriouzz. Her lorry was full though as she also showed Marieke Ponzo Dieu-de Pundert's bay Kingsdale (by Everdale x Negro) at Grand prix level and landed 6th place with 70.630%.
"He keeps improving every single time, and it’s such a privilege to feel that progress together," Thamar said about Kingsdale.
Veterans
More experienced riders and horses, such as Dutch team rider Rowena Weggelaar and her 19-year old KWPN bred Don Quichot (by United x Gribaldi) proved form and posted a personal best of 70.696% for 4th place.
"I'm so proud of Donnie," said Rowena, who trains with Kebie van der Heijden. "Even though knowing that we can do better, I'm very happy with our progress now."
After a period of injury and personal health issues, Lynne Maas is back and buzzing with her 17-year old KWPN mare Electra (by Jazz x Ferro). They scored 70.652% for 5th place. Maas and Electra were selected on the Dutch team for the 2023 Europeans in Riesenbeck but dropped out due to an injury. Only in May 2025 did the black mare make her CDI come back in Exloo.
"Three years of holding on, never losing hope," Maas admitted. "Everything fell apart: a double neck hernia, an injured horse, and a dream that seemed gone. We had to fight harder than ever, through pain and silence… but we didn’t give up! (In Exloo there was) a 5th place for my incredible mare. It's not perfect yet, but we’re getting there: 70.7% and rising. We’re going for it. So incredibly grateful and proud."
Photos © press photos CDI Exloo/Nadine de Jong
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