After the qualifiers of the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage, Thamar Zweistra and the eye-catching grey stallion Power Dutch were still in second place, but they made up the deficit in the final this evening. With a score of 85.2 points, the son of Glock’s Toto Jr not only won the day class but also claimed the overall competition title.

Power Dutch (Glock’s Toto Jr out of Miss Dutch Utopia elite sport-dressage IBOP-dressage D-OC by Double Dutch, breeder Stal Hexagon from Schore) had already produced three very strong qualifying performances, standing out in particular with his excellent walk. “That is truly a highlight: very good rhythm and a decisive use of the body,” explained judge Monique Peutz, who assessed the final together with Eva Möller and Brecht D’Hoore. “He is a big, impressive horse who found the arena itself a bit impressive. At times he was slightly distracted, but he was well presented. He clearly has a lot of quality and presence.” For Thamar Zweistra, this was her first time competing in the Stallion Competition. “I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “He did find it exciting to be in there on his own with such an audience. That’s exactly why we do these competitions: so he can gain experience and learn. In the long term the goal is to develop him for the highest level, but competitions like this are an important part of that education. He’s a very willing horse with a lot of power and a great character.”

Top three
Second place in the day ranking and third overall in the final standings went to the Hermes son Patheon (out of Watradin ster pref PROK by San Remo, breeder M. Schaap from Woudrichem), ridden by Álvaro Rodríguez Siscar, with 81.8 points. “This horse also has a very good walk, with an active hind leg, and he stays nicely over the back while following the hand.” Pjethro (Kjento out of Jaomie elite IBOP-dressage D-OC by Desperado, breeder A.J. Beerens from De Moer), presented by Charlotte Fry, was tense in the impressive atmosphere of the Brabanthallen. The stallion had led the competition after the qualifiers, but added 73.2 points in the final, finishing second overall. “This was not an easy ride, and as judges we clearly see the quality, but we have to judge what he showed today. We do believe he is a horse with a great deal of quality, and compliments to the rider for handling it calmly.”

Photo: Dirk Caremans
MvE for KWPN