So You Can Dance, Real Dream, Perfect Ritme Win 2026 Pavo Cup Finals

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2026 Pavo Cup Finals

The 4-year old So You Can Dance, the 5-year old Real Dream, and the 6-year old Perfect Ritme became the winnerss in the 2026 Pavo Cup Finals held on Friday 28 August 2026.

The Pavo Cup Finals consisted of a semi-finals held on Wednesday. The top XX four-year olds, the top 19 five-year olds, and the top 12 six-year olds moved on to the Finals on Friday. The three highest ranked horses - with scores totalled from the semi finals plus the finals - were test ridden by a guest judge rider and ranked for the podium.

4-year olds So You Can Dance

With 60 horses competing in the 4-year age semi-finals, this division was the largest and 21 top scoring pairs moved on to the first round of the Finals. Aside from the winner, Gerrel Vink on stallion So You Can Dance (by Next Level x Ferguson), the board got quite reshuffled as both the second and third placed horses in the semi-finals - Sophie Anne Marie (by For Romance) and Everglow Gold (by Escolar x Sir Donnerhall) - dropped all the way down the ranking to 20th and 13th place. This created plenty of room of new horses rising to the top three and getting invited to the guest judge round for the podium placed.

The winner of the finals round, Franka Loos on So Nice (by So Perfect X Ziësto), ended up third overall when the scores were all combined. So Nice got a 91 from guest judge rider Becky Moody, who liked his canter but the horse needed a bit of adaptation time to a new rider on his back. The winner of the semi-finals - Vink and So You Can Dance - placed second in the final round with 90,80 and got 94 from Moody who praised the stallion's rideability, expression and elasticity. Robert-jan De Visser and Son of Zalome (by Vitalis x Aljano) ended up second overall after a 6th place in the semi-finals, a win in the finals round, as well as getting the highest score from Moody (95). She praised the horse's ability to react to the aids, particularly in trot and canter.

So You can Dance is owned by the rider in partnership with breeder P. Van den Berg. Son of Zalome is owned by MH Sporthorses and A. van der Muren, while So Nice is owned by breeder M. Kostelijk.

5-year olds: Real Dream

Also in the 5-year old division the leaderboard got quite reshuffled after the finals and test rider round. The winner of the semi-finals, Geertje Hoogendoorn and her own and Maxime Osse's chestnut Red Rock (by Mowgli VOD x Bordeaux), ended up third overall after placing fourth in the final round (85,00) and receiving 90 points from test rider Robin Bernoski.

The second placed pair from the semi-finals, Emmelie Scholtens and Rockstar Millionaire (by D'Avie x Sandro Hit), held on to that second spot till the end. They were second in the final round (85,00) and test rider Bernoski gave this horse the highest score of 95,00 points. The horse is owned by breeder R. Dudley in partnership with the rider and Y. Kapteijn.

World Champion Charlotte Fry was back in the saddle of Gert-Jan van Olst's Real Dream (by Dynamic Dream X Negro) after Sadie Smith showed him at the 2026 World Young Horse Championships in Verden. In the semi-finals they were 6th with 83,600%, but they won the final round with 90,000% and test rider Bernoski rewarded the dark bay with 92 points, which granted Real Dream the Pavo Cup champion's title. Bernoski praised the horse's canter.

Turkish-American Lina Uzunhasan made an impressive rise on the board. She and Magic Mckee L (by Total Mclaren X Negro) were 'only' 17th in the semi-finals 79,200%, but finished second in the final round with 88,800%. However, their overall total was not high enough to finish in the top three for an invitation to the guest rider finals.

6-year olds: Perfect Ritme

In the 6-year old division last year's Pavo Cup champions Kim Noordijk and Perfect Ritme (by Lord Europe X Negro) reclaimed their title. After placing second in the semi-finals with 89,000%, they topped the final round with 91,400% and got the highest score of 96 points from test rider. Last year Rob Gijsen co-owned the black with breeder Kees op 't Hoog but this year he is listed as sole owner.

Franka Loos and her WCYH finalist Pythagoras Wk (by All at Once x Vitalis) moved from a 5th place in the semi-finals with 87,00% to a second place in the finals round (88,40%) and a test rider score of 92 points. The black is owned by the rider in partnership with W. van Kampen.

Emmelie Scholtens and her own long-time partner Port-au-Prince (by Desperado x De Niro) were third in all three rounds with 87,80£%, 87,00% and 90 from the test rider.

The winner of the semi-finals, Kirsten Brouwer and WCYH finalist Pina Colada (by Governor X Dayano) were ninth in the finals round with 79,000% and did not make the final three.

Photos © Digishots

Results - 2026 Pavo Cup Finals

4-year olds - Overall (Semi Finals - Finals - Guest Judge)

1 Gerrel Vink - So You Can Dance (by Next Level X Ferguson) - 89,0 - 90,8 -- 94,0 --- 273,8
2 Robert-jan De Visser - Son of Zalome (by Vitalis x Aljano) - 86,6 - 87,6 -- 95,0 --- 269,2
3 Franka Loos - So Nice (by So Perfect X Ziësto) - 85,2 - 91,4 -- 91,0 --- 267,6

4-year olds - Finals round (before guest judge round)
Rider - Horse - Walk - trot - canter - harmony - impression - total

1 Franka Loos - So Nice (by So Perfect X Ziësto) - 8,8 9,0 9,3 9,4 9,2 91,400%
2 Gerrel Vink - So You Can Dance (by Next Level X Ferguson) - 8,5 9,3 9,4 9,0 9,2 90,800%
3 Robert-jan De Visser - Son of Zalome (by Vitalis X Aljano) - 8,4 8,8 9,0 8,8 8,8 87,600%
4 Robert-jan De Visser - Dalma Dyna Ballante (by Dynamic Dream X Fiderbach) - 8,2 8,5 8,8 8,7 8,6 85,600%
5 Robbin Kleermans - Dazzling Diamond (by Desperado X Everdale) - 8,5 8,2 8,8 8,5 8,5 85,000%
6 Dominique Van Dalsen - Scaramouche (by Toto Jr. X Negro) - 8,5 8,3 8,5 8,5 8,5 84,600%
7 Lynne Van Erp - Singapore Ave (by Mclaren X Governor) - 8,2 8,7 8,2 8,5 8,4 84,000%
8 Eline Anker - Saint Mclaren Sg (by Mclaren X Wynton) - 8,3 8,4 8,5 8,4 8,4 84,000%
9 Lisa Van Den Heuvel - Satriani (by Mclaren X Wynton) - 8,6 8,3 8,3 8,3 8,4 83,800%
10 Amber Hage - Saverino Vdl (by Jovian X Charmeu) - 8,3 8,5 8,3 8,3 8,4 83,600%
11 Bart Veeze - Sweet Seven (by Kjento X Oo Seven) - 8,3 8,8 8,5 7,8 8,4 83,600%
12 Febe Van Zwambagt - Lord Siffredi (by Las Vegas X Prestige) - 8,1 8,4 8,4 8,5 8,3 83,400%
13 Saskia Poel - Everglow Gold (by Escolar X Sir Donnerhall) - 8,0 8,6 8,3 8,1 8,3 82,600%
14 Annemijn Boogaard - Sarai Verdoni (by Kjento X Toto Jr) - 7,9 8,4 8,4 8,2 8,2 82,200%
15 Annemijn Boogaard - So Legend (by So Perfect X Grand Galaxy Win) - 8,2 8,2 8,0 8,3 8,2 81,800%
16 Cynthia Eggenkamp - Seniz Texel (by Mclaren X Negro) - 8,5 8,2 8,0 8,0 8,2 81,800%
17 Sadie Smith - Sondale (by Glamourdale X Vivaldi ) - 8,1 8,0 8,2 8,3 8,2 81,600%
18 Franka Loos -Sirendo Kh (by Mclaren X Tushinski ) - 8,2 8,4 8,5 7,3 8,2 81,200%
19 Geertje Hoogendoorn - Shaanxi (by Livius X Johnson) - 7,5 8,4 8,2 8,0 8,1 80,400%
20 Judith Ribbels - Sophie Anne Mariak (by for Romance X Vitalis) - 7,8 9,0 8,5 6,5 8,0 79,600%
21 Lucas Fernández Páez - Kyrok (by Kjento X Trento B) - 7,5 8,0 8,2 8,0 8,0 79,400%

5-year olds - Overall (Semi Finals - Finals - Guest Judge)

1. Charlotte Fry - Real Dream (by Dynamic Dream X Negro) - 83,6 - 90,0 -- 92,0 ---- 265,6
2. Emmelie Scholtens - Rockstar Millionaire (by D'avie X Sandro Hit) - 85,0 - 85,4 -- 95,0 --- 265,4
3. Geertje Hoogendoorn - Red Rock (by Mowgli V.o.d. X Bordeaux) - 85,0 - 85,0 -- 90,0 --- 260,0

5-year olds - Finals round (before guest judge round)
Rider - Horse - Walk - trot - canter - harmony - impression - total

1. Charlotte Fry - Real Dream (by Dynamic Dream X Negro) - 8,5 8,5 9,7 9,2 9,1 90,000%
2 Lina Uzunhasan- Magic Mckee L (by Total Mclaren X Negro ) - 8,5 8,8 9,3 8,9 8,9 88,800%
3 Emmelie Scholtens - Rockstar Millionaire (by D'avie X Sandro Hit) - 7,0 9,2 9,5 8,5 8,5 85,400%
4 Geertje Hoogendoorn - Red Rock (by Mowgli V.o.d. X Bordeaux) - ,5 8,5 8,5 8,5 8,5 85,000%
5 Yardena Schillings - Resilience (by Totilas X Don Tango) - 8,2 8,7 8,5 8,5 8,5 84,800%
5 Franka Loos - Rose-bel Taonga (by Kjento X Westpoint) - 8,2 8,8 8,4 8,5 8,5 84,800%
7 Rosa Vlaar - Roller-coaster Dh (by Johnny Depp X Desperado) - 8,2 8,2 8,7 8,5 8,3 83,800%
8 Emmelie Scholtens - Radetsky (by Lennox X Negro) - 7,8 8,3 8,5 8,8 8,4 83,600%
9 Saskia Poel- Rockstar (by Le Formidable X Vivaldi) - 8,8 8,5 8,3 7,8 8,2 83,200%
10 Danielle Heijkoop - Royal Esther Svn (by Toto Jr. X Jazz) - 7,8 8,7 8,8 8,0 8,2 83,000%
11 Charlotte Fry - Renzo (by Kjento X Rousseau) - 8,3 8,1 8,0 8,5 8,3 82,400%
12 Kim Noordijk - Roebel (by Romanov X Sir Donnerhall) - 7,3 8,2 8,2 8,4 8,2 80,600%
13 Lotje Schoots - Rufus Van 't Houtsche (by Jameson Rs2 X Gribaldi) - 8,4 7,9 8,0 8,0 8,0 80,600%
14 Lisanne Der Nederlanden - Rapsody Sollenburg (by Fynch Hatton X Fidertan) - 8,5 7,8 7,8 7,8 7,8 79,400%
15 Jorian Stoppelenburg - Rolex (by Jovian X Governor) - 7,0 7,9 8,3 8,4 8,0 79,200%
16 Moisés Jover Azuar - Dante's Empire (by Dante Weltino X Sir Sinclair) - 8,0 8,5 7,7 7,4 8,0 79,200%
17 Marten Luiten - Secret Usb (by Secret X Spörcken) - 7,1 8,0 8,2 8,0 8,0 78,600%
18 Jeroen Hamelink - Racoon (by Kjento X Governor) - 7,2 8,0 7,8 8,0 7,8 77,600%
Bart Veeze - Rossi (by Koning X Santano) - RET

6-year olds - Overall (Semi Finals - Finals - Guest Judge)
Rider - Horse - Semi Finals - Finals - Guest judge rider --- total

1. Kim Noordijk - Perfect Ritme (by Lord Europe x Negro) - 89,0 - 91,4 -- 96,0 ---- 276,4
2. Franka Loos - Pythagoras Wk (by All at Once x Vitalis) - 87,0 - 88,4 -- 92,0 ---- 267,4
3. Emmelie Scholtens - Port-au-Prince (by Desperado x De Niro) - 87,8 - 87,0 -- 90,0 ---- 264,8

6-year olds - Finals round (before guest judge round)
Rider - Horse - Walk - trot - canter - harmony - impression - total

1 Kim Noordijk - Perfect Ritme (by Lord Europe X Negro) - 7,9 9,3 9,6 9,4 9,5 91,400%
2 Franka Loos - Pythagoras Wk (by ll at Once X Vitalis) - 8,5 9,0 8,8 9,0 8,9 88,400%
3 Emmelie Scholtens - Port-au-prince (by Desperado X De Niro) - 8,6 8,7 8,7 8,8 8,7 87,000%
4 Thamar Zweistra - Hexagons Popeye (by Double Dutch X Fürst Nymphenburg) - 8,5 8,8 8,4 8,7 8,6 86,000%
5 Petty Van Dijk - Vos - Provini Vdp (by King Karim X Oo Seven) - 8,0 8,5 8,3 8,5 8,3 83,200%
6 Danielle Heijkoop - Pinot Gricio (by Vivaldi X Rubels) - 8,8 8,0 8,2 8,0 8,2 82,400%
7 Marlou De Ruyter - Passenger H (by Totilas X Franklin) - 8,8 8,0 8,2 7,5 8,0 81,000%
8 Vai Bruntink - Pitch Perfect (by Le Formidable X Vivaldi) - 8,4 7,9 8,0 7,6 7,9 79,600%
9 Kirsten Brouwer - Pina Colada (by Governor X Dayano) - 7,8 8,4 8,2 7,0 8,1 79,000%
10 Maxime Osse - Private Pleasure (by Jameson Rs2 X Dream Boy) - 8,3 8,0 7,8 7,5 7,9 79,000%
11 Cynthia Eggenkamp - Paparazzi (by Kremlin MD X Fürstenball ) - 8,0 7,8 8,0 7,3 8,0 78,200%
12 Marieke Cobben - Paulo (by Kjento X Vivaldi) - 7,9 7,8 8,0 7,5 7,8 78,000%

Previous Winners
McMary, Perfect Ritme, Extreme U.S. Win 2025 Pavo Cup Finals
Patchouli Vera, Red Viper, Nashville SW Win 2024 Pavo Cup Finals
Extreme U.S., Everest and Mac Toto Win the 2023 Pavo Cup Finals
Nashville WS, My Blue Hors Santiano, Lightning Star Win 2022 Pavo Cup Finals
My Precious, Las Vegas, Kadiene Win 2021 Pavo Cup Finals
Keano RS2, Johnny Depp, Imposantos Win 2019 Pavo Cup Finals
Jameson, Imposantos, Total U.S. Win 2018 Pavo Cup Finals
Ivoli-E, Haute Couture, Great Lady TC Win 2017 Pavo Cup Finals
Happynesse E, Toto Jr, Fenix Win 2016 Pavo Cup Finals
Guadeloupe Beau and Fenix Win 2015 Pavo Cup Finals
Fanita and Eye Catcher Win 2014 Pavo Cup Finals
Everdale and Dancer Win 2013 Pavo Cup Finals
Desperado and Charmeur Win 2012 Pavo Cup Finals
Charmeur and Borencio Win 2011 Pavo Cup Finals
Borencio and Amazing Star Go All the Way and Take 2010 Pavo Cup Finals
TC Athene and Zhivago Win 2009 Pavo Cup Finals
Zuidenwind and Wynton Win 2008 Pavo Cup Finals
Westpoint and Vivaldi Win 2007 Pavo Cup Finals
Santano and Ucelli T Win 2006 Pavo Cup Finals
Uptown and Dreamcatcher Win 2005 Pavo Cup Finals
Florencio and Sandreo Win the 2004 Pavo Cup Finals
Special D and Robin Hood, 2003 Pavo Cup Winners
Rubels and Paster, 2001 Pavo Cup Champions
Natcho and Osmium Wins 2000 Pavo Cup Finals
Broere Stallions Dominate 1999 Pavo Cup Finals
Lucky Times and Mariena Win 1998 Pavo Cup Finals