Especial-son Everest is not only a striking appearance because to his eye-catching grey colour but also thanks to his quality. He headed for the second round of the final in the lead and hold on a 9.5 from guest rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen secured him the number one position.

Phoebe Peters piloted Everest (Especial out of Fresia ster PROK by Negro, bred by Van Olst Horses of Den Hout) to a win in the semi-final and added a second position in the first round of the final on Saturday morning. “A horse that walks with a swinging back and boasts ample technique, activity and power in the trot”, explained Marten van der Heijden. In the canter his hind quarter was well-engaged, he showed to possess a fantastic hind leg and abundant ability to collect and extend.”

Fantastic to ride

In the second round of the final, Everest received a 9.5 from guest rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen. “The only downside to this horse: he is a tad too small for me”, he quipped. “He is a fantastic horse to ride. He has a soft contact and is very focused for such a young horse. The canter is truly a highlight, he changes gears so easily.”

Bright future

In the first round of the final, Everest’s stable mate Nacho (Negro out of Benetton ster pref D-OC by Krack C, bred by S. Maakenschijn) snapped up the win. This KWPN stallion is, like the winner, owned by Van Olst Horses and was given a 9.2 by the guest rider. “This one fits me better in terms of size. Lottie has schooled him very well; he is such a nice horse to ride. This horse has a bright future ahead of him.”

Napoli Sollenburg

Total US-son Napoli Sollenburg Dros Horses (out of Florence Sollenburg elite EPTM-dres sport-dres PROK by Vivaldi, bred by Adri Zekveld of Almere) completed the top three under Benjamin Maljaars. This stallion scored an 8.6 for his test ride. “This horse has a lot of quality and perspective, but I have to take into account that I struggled to get even contact on both reins.”

Best mare and gelding

The fourth place in the final was claimed by last year’s champion: Nashville SW (Secret out of Esina elite sport-dres IBOP-dres PROK by Jazz, bred by Stal Willig) under Femke de Laat. Danielle Heijkoop guided KWPN stallion Nordic Blue Hors (Totilas out of Demeter B ster sport-dres PROK by Jazz, bred by J.J. Jansen and Stal de Beukenvallei) to the fifth position. She was followed by the best mare, Judith Ribbels’ Nanny McPhee (Vitalis out of FunFun EB elite sport-dres IBOP-dres PROK by Sorento, bred by Stal Ribbels of Eibergen). The best gelding was No Nonsense D (Glamourdale out of Astron aster by Olivi, bred by P. Damen of Weelde-Station).  

Results

Photo Jacob Melissen