“I would have had to act crazy in order to ruin it, laughs Diederik van Silfhout after achieving the Dutch title with KWPN-stallion Expression (Vivaldi out of Melody keur pref sport-dres by Vincent, breeder G.W. van Norel, Wapenveld) in the ZZ-Zwaar level at the Dutch National Championships in Ermelo.

After the completion of the first test yesterday the rider was ahead of the competition by 5%. A good second place was for Robin van Lierop with the chestnut mare Finja (by Flatley), the bronze went to Daniëlle van Mierlo with Custom Zadels Dayano (by Jazz). In the final of this afternoon, the Freestyle to Music, Diederik van Silfhout scored an impressive 78% and with a totaling score of 153.476 the championship was clearly his to take. The rider thereby prolongs his title, because last year he also received the orange sash in the ZZ-Zwaar championship. At that time with the approved stallion Cupido. Van Silfhout has nothing but praise for Expression. “A great horse and very complete. For the remaining part of the year I will not bring him to the competitions anymore. Next year we want to start in the Small Tour and then put our focus towards the Grand Prix”, explains the rider, who will start in the final of the Big Tour tomorrow with Arlando N.O.P. Daniëlle van Mierlo placed second in the Freestyle to Music but dropped because of a fifth place in the first test to third position in the final rankings. Robin van Lierop placed third in both test, enough for overall silver. Results:

1. Diederik Van Silfhout, Expression (by Vivaldi), 153.476
2. Robin Van Lierop, Finja (by Flatley), 141.846
3. Danielle Van Mierlo, Custom Zadels Dayano (by Jazz), 141.613