Just now the Gelder Stallion Competition and Stallion Competition Dressage came to an end at the KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch.. The winning stallions are Henkie, Imposantos, Total U.S. and Gunner KS. 

Henkie convincing in finale

The Gelder stallion Henkie performed a convincing test in the final for the Stallion Competition Gelder Horse. Under the saddle of Adelinde Cornelissen, the stallion scored 89 points.

“We have enjoyed this performance”, said chairman of the judges Monique Peutz after the test. Henkie is sired by Alexandro P and comes out of Beaujamanda ster by Upperville, bred by family Hekkert in Wijhe. “The walk was spacious and demonstrated elasticity, we could give a 9.5 for that gait. The well-carried trot had a good technique and received a 9.” Overall impression and functionality were also awarded a 9 and with 8.5s for canter and posture and balance, the total score added up to 89.5 points. This brought the total in the competition – in which only Henkie participated – to 266 points.

Imposant wins after thrilling battle in L-class

At the start of the final, Imposantos (pictured right) and In Style lead the intermediate rankings in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage together. The battle was settled to the advantage of Wynton-son Imposantos that scored one point more with Bart Veeze than the sympathetic In Style (s.Eye Catcher). The day victory was for Indian Rock and Emmelie Scholtens that were no longer in the race for the competition win due to a missed competition leg.

“This trot is truly impressive. A lovely consistent frame with lots of elasticity”, commented Maarten van der Heijden after the test of Imposantos. Van der Heijden and Monique Peutz rewarded the walk and canter with an 8.5, for his perspective as a dressagehorse  and submission, the Wynton-son (out of Zarina elite IBOP-dres PROK by Krack C, bred by W. Wijnen from Berlicum) received a 9.

Total U.S. demonstrates the essence of dressage

The title was already secured by Total U.S. (top picture) before the final even started. The Totilas-offspring lead the rankings. The stallion received a standing ovation from the audience in the lap of honour, giving his rider goosebumps. “This horse has so much power. He is an incredible horse and that standing ovation was amazing”, says an emotional Van Liere.

“Total U.S. shows us what dressage should look like”, sighs Monique Peutz after the test of Total U.S. (Totilas out of Sondra by Sir Donnerhall, bred by Gestüt Lewitz from Steinfeld. “Such a lovely frame, always uphill, simply fantastic!”

Gunner KS procures competition win, Giovanni wins final

“We saw a nice test,” said Maarten van der Heijden about the Giovanni (Chippendale out of Zarava elite IBOP-dres sport-dres PROK by Scandic, bred by Cees van Etten from Galder). The walk received a 7.5, the trot and canter an 8.5, while his perspective and submission were awarded an 8. A total of 81 points resulted in the first prize in today’s final.

Gunner KS (Bellissimo M out of Ronnevanck ster pref prest sport-dres PROK by Vincent, bred by Arthur Kleijwegt from Heinkenszand) secured the competition title with Dana van Lierop. “A horse with an impressive front’, explained the judges. The difference between collected and extended walk could be larger, a 7.5. In trot Gunner KS (pictured left) demonstrates to possess and impressive foreleg, but we would like to see a little more balance in the half-pass, so we come to an 8. The canter is incredible and Gunner KS already performed great changes, an 8.5.” Because the contact leaves room for improvement, the submission got a 7.5 while perspective earned an 8. Dana van Lierop commented after her lap of honour: “Gunner KS is such an appealing horse and he has an incredible character. He is never spooky and always wants to work with me. He is so smart that learning new figures and exercises cost him no effort. I hope there is a bright future ahead of us.”

Images (C) Dirk Caremans