Today the exciting Blom Cup came to an end, in this show jumping class the best four- five-, six- and seven-year-old horses battled for the national title. The last three age categories could also qualify themselves for the World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium. All classes were concluded with a thrilling final and filled with top quality talents. 

Idagonda (s.Zirocco Blue VDL) winner of 4-year-olds

The Zirocco Blue VDL-daughter Idagonda (out of Degonda elite EPTM-spr prok s.Corland, bred by F. Wetemans from Heythuysen) concinved judges Piet Raijmakers and Henk Dirksen the most today and grabbed the title with an 8.6 for jumping and 8.2 for rideability in the course. “A lovely horse,” said the jury about the winner owned by her rider Nicole Mestrom and Niels Knape. The second place was claimed by the KWPN-approved stallion Impala SMH (Zambesi out of Bybalia SMH keur pref IBOP-spr sport-spr by Cardento, bred by Minne Hovenga from Jelsum), that obtained the same end score but received 0.1 point lower for the decisive jumping aspect. Placing third was Icanta (Andiamo out of Cantate elite EPTM-spr sport-spr by Cantos, bred by Jan Pen from Wilbertoord) under the saddle of Christina Kallmert. An 8.3 for jumping and 8.2 for rideability resulted in a total of 24.8 points. Ikigai (Elvis ter Putte out of Okori-Retti by Iroko, bred by M.C.J.M. Burgers from Moergestel) owned by Marwin van den Nieuwenhuyzen was the winner of the first round and placed fourth today. The KWPN-approved Innocent (Zambesi out of Beau Ludine S keur IBOP-spr s.Calvados, bred by Herman van der Scheer from Kamperveen) completed the top 5 with Mathijs van Asten.

Gloed (s.Indoctro) champion of 6-year-olds

After their victory in the second round last Thursday, Timothy Hendrix and the Indoctro-son Gloed claimed another win in the final of the Blom Cup for 6-year-olds. A tricky jump-off formed no challenge for Gloed as he steered fast and clear through the course. Gloed is bred by J.G.M. Meyer from Dronten out of Binosa reg a IBOP-spr by Quality.

The fastest time was put on the scoreboard by Lennard de Boer and the KWPN-approved stallion Global Express (Orient Express out of Dame Ricard by Laudanum xx, bred by Haras de la Gisloterie from Basse Normandy, France). The pair was without any doubt the fastest, but the nine canter strides to the last fence caused an unfortunate pole down. De Boer placed three horses in the top seven: Guppie VDL (Arezzo VDL out of Bellamy vb sport-spr by Cardento, bred by H. Schut out of Grootegast) was 3rd and the sixth place was obtained by the outstanding jumper and KWPN-stallion Grand Slam VDL (Cardento out of Wonder A.S. vb by Heartbreaker, bred by F. Kenis from Sint-Lenaarts, Belgium). The best KWPN-stallion in the championships for 6-year-olds was Graziano (Baltic VDL out of Rienaldine ster by Great Pleasure, bred by H. & A. Barenkamp from Ter Apel) with Steven Veldhuis. A fourth prize was earned by the KWPN-approved Golddigger (Querly-Elvis out of Wella stb-ext by Corland, bred by W.A.M. Nijekamp from Weerselo), that also crossed the finish in each round of the Blom Cup without any penalties. Sixteen combinations were clear in the final yet the KWPN-stallion Gaspahr (Berlin out of Costa keur sport-spr by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, bred by C.J.P. Helderman from Wijchen) was not one of them because of an unfortunate time penalty. With Piet Keunen the Berlin-son impressed once again through his endless scope and carefulness.

Blom’s Hiek’n (s.Falaise de Muze) wins final for 5-year-olds

A very special win today in the final for 5-year-olds. Blom’s Hiek’n, owned by the main sponsor of the Blom Cup, Rinus Blom, won the title with Thomas Mertens. In a thrilling jump-off the Belgian rider and descendant of Falaise de Muze were the fastest pair that crossed the finish line without any faults.

Stal Hendrix had another succesful day with a second placement for Pieter Keunen and the Plot Blue-son Henkie-Penkie (out of Vicky reg a prest by Orlando, bred by P. Verberne from Sint-Oedenrode). The combination was the first to start in the jump-off and directly set a fast time of 34.37 seconds. The following combinations felt the pressure and encountered some mistakes on their way to improve this time or decided to opt for a safe clear round. The latter could be said of Zoï Snels and the KWPN-approved megatalent Highway M TN (Eldorado van de Zeshoek out of Zelana V reg a prok by Chellano Z, bred by P. Verdellen from Horst). The two performed a strong, clear round in 37,97 seconds, resulting in a fifth position. However, Sander Naber and Chantal Regter choose to go all in and managed to complete the jump-off in a fast and clear manner. Sander Naber took the third prize with Hasall (Zirocco Blue out of Urona ster by Indoctro, bred by N.H.G. Broeders from Hooge Zwaluwe), followed by Chantal Regter and Haskal (Cardento out of Waldie H stb by Indoctro, bred by J. Otten from Hoogersmilde). However, Thomas Merter – stable rider for Rinus Blom – and Blom’s Hiek’n (Falaise de Muze out of Vamosa II elite sport-spr prok by Matterhorn, bred by J.R. Veninga from Hijken) were the ultimate champions today. The pair set a fantastic time of 33.16 seconds.

7-year-olds: Ferdinand invincible  

A tricky course for the seven-year-olds resulted in a jump-off with only five combinations, that was won by Kevin Olsmeijer and Ferdinand. In 34.91 seconds the last pair to enter the ring, improved the time of Kim Emmen and the Arezzo VDL-daughter Farah (out of Assa vb by Concorde, bred by A. & W. Wolters and H.C.C.M. Ongering from Groningen) . Willem Greve placed third with the stallion Faro.

The championships title was a family success for father Tom and son Kevin Olsmeijer. The seven-year-old gelding Ferdinand was bred by family Olsmeijer and is sired by the Indoctro-son Viceroy T, that was active with Kevin and the mare Solitaire (s.Voltaire), that jumped 1.40m with Kevin as well. Ferdinand is also closely related to the KWPN-stallion Londontimes (s.Goodtimes) that represented the Netherlands in the Nation Cups with Kevin Olsmeijer. 

AW for KWPN