With only three participants, the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Class Z/ZZ-L in Kronenberg may not have had a large field, but it was a category filled with quality. All stallions scored over 80 points, and Bordeaux's son, Merlot VDL, emerged as the winner with a score of 85.6.

Femke de Laat presented Merlot VDL (Bordeaux out of Hyacinth-Vrouwe ster PROK D-OC by Florencio, breeders Fam. Klinkhamer from Sleen) with great harmony in this first competition. The stallion received a 9 for both his trot and harmony from judges Patricia Wolters and Marian Dorresteijn. Patricia expressed enthusiasm about this first participant in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage 2023/2024, stating, "What a beautiful start. This is truly a dressage horse with a beautiful exterior, good self-carriage, and a lot of potential. He responded well to the aids, showed a strong work ethic, and presented a pleasing image. The walk could show a bit more overstep. In trot, he has good cadence, uphill movement, and lightness. The canter has a good jump, is uphill, and could show a bit more suppleness in the topline."

Competitive Field
Under Beni Pachl, Hexagon’s Gorgeous Black Art (GLOCK’s Toto Jr out of Beauty Vienna D by Rubiquil, breeder K. Visser from Alteveer) scored 84.2. The stallion stood out for his strength and ability to collect. The combination stayed ahead of Alvaro Rodriguez Siscar, who presented the German-approved Franklin’s Love (Franklin out of Sanrubina by Sandro Hit). This stallion showcased a lot of suppleness, earning a score of 81.4 points.

Overview Stallion Competition

MvE for KWPN
Photo: Paardenkrant-Horses.nl/Melanie Brevink