Dutch Dressage Future Plan: young talent on the road to the top
The young talents of the Dutch Dressage Future Plan gave a wonderful show on Saturday afternoon, showcasing an abundance of talent. The DDFP guides talents to the top with a clear goal in mind: happy riders and happy horses.
In the saddle of their KWPN horses, the young riders demonstrated their well-thought-out training plan, aiming to elevate Dutch dressage sport to a higher level. They are supported in this by the Dutch Dressage Future Plan, a private initiative involving trainers and judges from both the Netherlands and abroad. FEI 5* dressage judge Maarten van der Heijden guided the combinations today in the Brabanthallen, illustrating how the horses' qualities were optimally developed with respect for the horse: “The goal is for them to become better riders—not just in the short term, but also to learn how to train horses to the Grand Prix level in the long term.”
Talented youth and talented horses
The riders who entered the arena this afternoon each delivered a sympathetic and skillful performance, keeping their horses focused in this impressive setting. Micky Schelstraete and Manila Grace (Guardian S out of Balenciaga Nomia elite PROK sport-dressage by Johnson), Jessica Nesselaar and Indigo (Apache out of Cacharelle by Santano), and Mirthe Willig and Just Biantoes (Desperado out of Biantoes elite IBOP-dressage pref prest sport-dressage by Santano) rode in the first group under Van der Heijden’s guidance.
In the second group, Britt Kikkert entered the ring with the KWPN-approved stallion Jerenzo Texel (Enzo Ferrari out of Vieta Corieta Texel elite IBOP-dressage pref prest by Jazz), along with Esmee Boers and Montreux (Ferdeaux out of Ziamara elite sport by San Remo, breeder D & W van de Veerdonk), and Lara van Nek with WK finalist and KWPN-approved stallion Obsession Taonga (Vitalis out of Jatilinda elite IBOP-dressage sport-dressage PROK by All At Once, breeder Stal 104).
BvH for KWPN
Photo Micky Schelstraete: Dirk Caremans