With great ease and flair, the KWPN stallion Everdale dominated the arena in the FEI World Cup Final in Riyadh. Under his regular rider Charlotte Fry (GBR), the son of Lord Leatherdale secured the victory in the Grand Prix with a score of 75.388%. The KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (s.Jazz) completed the KWPN celebration by clinching third place with 72.904% under Denmark's Nanna Skodborg Merrald.

Everdale and Charlotte Fry entered the World Cup Final as one of the favorites, knowing well that the competition would be fierce, with names like Isabell Werth (DSP Quantaz, fourth), Patrik Kittel (Touchdown, second), and Nanna Skodborg Merrald (Blue Hors Don Olymbrio, third) on the start list.

Charlotte Fry, the stable rider at Van Ols Horses in Den Hout, remained calm and rode Everdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Aliska K elite EPTM-dres PROK by Negro, breeder P. Kluytmans from Tilburg) flawlessly to victory. Everdale remained highly focused and consistent throughout the Grand Prix, delivering an impeccable performance. Particularly impressive were their scores in the canter tour, as well as in the piaffe and passage. Their impressive score of 75.388% secured the win.

The KWPN recognized stallion Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz out of Olymbria keur pref prest by Ferro, breeder J. Lamers from Oss) finished in third place under Nanna Skodborg Merrald for Denmark. Despite starting early in the field, the 16-year-old stallion presented a beautiful picture as always. Merrald commented, “We had a few minor hiccups in our test, but overall Don Olymbrio felt good. He was fresh and well-focused on me throughout the entire ride.” Merrald will compete with Don Olymbrio in a new freestyle on Friday.

Out of the four participating KWPN horses, an impressive three ended up in the top 5 positions. German rider Raphael Netz rode the gelding Great Escape Camelot (Johnson TN out of Amie Camelot prest by Turbo Magic, breeder C.C. Kerssens-Rademaker from Assendelft) to fifth place with over 72%. The combination displayed a harmonious and quiet connection throughout the test. Netz said about 'Camelot', “We've only been together for a year, but we've had a connection from the start. We're both young, a bit cheeky, and very motivated.”

The KWPN horse Fayvel (Zizi Top out of Ofra elite pref prest PROK sport-dres by Houston, breeders R. and I. Veninga from Stuifzand) finished thirteenth with 68.354% under American rider Anna Marek, securing their spot in Friday's freestyle final as well.

Mediaguide World Cup Finals

BvH for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans