Explosion W, Sterrehof’s Dante N.O.P., Dsarie and Galanthos SHK: these four KWPN-horses have just placed themselves on the starting list of the individual final at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.  

Proudly in the lead is Ben Maher and Explosion W (Chacco-Blue out of Uarina ster sport-spr prest by Baloubet du Rouet, bred by Willy Wijnen from Berlicum). Tomorrow, the competitors all start with a clean slate but the reversed order of today’s result determine the starting order tomorrow. That means Maher is the last rider to enter the arena tomorrow, granting him a strategic advantage. Marc Houtzager showed off his skills and performed a lovely clear round with Sterrehof’s Dante N.O.P. sport-spr (Canturano out of Zidante ster IBOP-spr sport-dr D-OC by Phin Phin, bred by J.W.J. Soeter in Stokkum). Therefore, the Netherlands is represented by two riders in the individual final as also Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z (s.Bustique) noted no mistakes. One jumping error stood in the way of that qualification for Willem Greve and his Zypria S N.O.P. (s.Canturo).  

In terms of result it was the perfect outcome: all the 30 qualified riders either jumped clear or incurred one or two time penalties. Both Beat Mändli and Dsaire (sport-spr by Veron out of Tinette prest by Ahorn, bred by M. Smit in Dedemsvaart) and the Egyptian rider Mouda Zeyada on his Galanthos SHK (Arthos R out of Canta B elite EPTM-spr PROK by Cantos, bred by Shakira Stables in Nijkerk) crossed the finish with one time penalty and thereby secured a spot in the finals. Out of 73 combinations, 65 reached the finish. Four riders retired and four were eliminated. In total, 11 KWPN-horses made their appearance. 

More information about the KWPN-horses at the Olympic Games can be found on this overview page. 

Photo: Dirk Caremans