Under large public attendance, the first of the three major finals took place on Saturday afternoon. Red Viper impressively defended his title from last year, this time in the six-year-old category, with an outstanding score of 90.4.

Last year, Red Viper became World Champion in the five-year-old division, after which Dinja van Liere took over the reins from Bart Veeze. During the first qualifier on Wednesday, the pair finished third. Everything about this stallion is striking; he is tall, powerful in his movement, uphill in his frame, and always shows tremendous energy. Compared to the first qualifier, he demonstrated even more calmness and self-carriage.

Highly Praised
The jury was full of praise: “What a fantastic horse! He has everything we want to see. His trot is powerful and expressive, always in a beautiful frame,” which earned him a remarkable 9.8. His walk was pure with good transitions, although the collected walk was slightly too quick. In the canter, he easily carried weight, maintained a nice frame, and kept a closed mouth. There was great harmony, and despite a minor miscommunication in a pirouette and a flying change, this is undeniably a super horse with everything for the future! With a total of 90.4, Dinja and Red Viper took the lead. Red Viper (Romanov Blue Hors out of Zolena elite pref EPTM-dr sport-dr prok by Sir Sinclair) was bred by Coen Kerbert from Enschede and is registered with Reesink Stallions. A full brother, Roman Empire, will compete in the five-year-old final.

Impressive Presence
Lara van Nek was the second Dutch rider to compete. The 20-year-old presented the KWPN stallion Obsession Taonga with poise. Although the stallion was clearly spirited, he remained focused on his rider. The pair showed excellent extensions in both walk and trot, covering the ground beautifully, and transitions were well-marked. The stallion’s hind leg consistently engaged, and the jury praised his expressive and convincing trot. In his uphill canter, he executed well-confirmed flying changes. Compared to the first qualifier, Obsession Taonga showed even more scope in the trot. Obsession Taonga is a son of Vitalis out of the Lichte Tour mare Jatilinda (elite pref IBOP-dr sport prok by All At Once), bred and registered by Willeke Bos of Stal 104 BV from Wijdewormer. Lara, daughter of top breeder Willeke, has access to excellent horses, including Obsession Taonga. Last year, they won the small final in Ermelo, and this year they qualified directly for the final with sixth place in the qualifier, finishing sixth again with a score of 86.0.

Energetic and Expressive
Diederik van Silfhout secured a spot in the final of the six-year-olds with third place in Thursday’s small final. He started first in the final with O’Toto van de Wimphof. The Glock’s Toto Jr. son scored 82.4 overall. He shows an energetic and expressive trot with rhythm and cadence while also maintaining balance in circles. In extended walk, he could show more length, and the extensions were sometimes a little hurried. His strong canter, however, was textbook perfect with a good three-beat rhythm. This horse radiates eagerness and willingness to work. O’Toto van de Wimphof comes from Rastede (elite pref prest IBOP-dr sport prok by Riccione), dam of KWPN-approved Zware Tour stallion Just Wimphof. O’Toto was bred by C. Rienks-Kramer from De Wilgen and is registered with his breeder and Joop van Uytert.

GJ for KWPN
Photo Red Viper: Dirk Caremans