A nail-biter competition for the title of the seven-year-old show jumpers produced a fine victory for the KWPN on Sunday. Early on in the competition, the Dutch jumpers in the Tops International Arena kept their penalties down to 13, which turned out to be the best result in this tough 1.45 m course, in which many small mistakes were made.
Gaj Riossa did not start so well with Let's Wait and See HX (Entertainer x Colman). The breeding product of Riossa's employer Stal Hendrix touched a rail twice, promptly falling on the amazing grass floor. But Hilde Woudstra then rode a superb round on Loekie-Douglas (Douglas x Corland) from breeder Platenkamp and Evenhuis. In sublime style, the Dutch rider rode her careful mare to just one penalty point for exceeding the time allowed.
Last rider Bas Moerings rode his family's breeding product Lavesther (Elvis ter Putte x Guidam). One unfortunate mistake put the KWPN team result at 13.
That was a much better score than the DVB's (26), although it must be said that the Danes were strongly represented in Valkenswaard. Eight studbook teams followed after the KWPN, but they all battled in vain against the Dutch result. AES and Selle Francais came close with 16 penalty points each. The Anglo European Studbook got the silver medal because of a faster time, while the good jumping French horses had to settle for bronze.
Results