On June 10, the final selection moment for the World Championships took place in Delft. Following this event, the selection committee announced the combinations that will represent the Netherlands at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, held from August 5 to 10 in Verden.

The selection committee, consisting of Johan Hamminga, Alex van Silfhout, and Janine van Twist, evaluated the horses during the final test. From a group of over thirty horses, they selected six combinations and two reserves per age category. “We are heading to Verden with confidence,” said Johan Hamminga. “We’ve been able to put together a very strong team, with the five- and six-year-olds standing out in particular.”

International Setting
The final selection was held during Concours Delft at Manege de Prinsenstad. “The arena had a professional setup with international appeal,” Johan noted. “The weather wasn’t ideal in the morning, but that can also happen at a World Championship. The conditions in Delft gave us a good impression of how the horses perform in a more intense environment. Overall, the horses handled the decorated arena well. We saw well-executed tests, with relaxation, suppleness, and harmony—qualities we focused on during selection. The riders have worked hard to achieve that.”

Selected Horses
Five-Year-Olds:

• Perfect Ritme (by Lord Europe) with Kim Noordijk
• Pina Colada (by Governor) with Bart Veeze
• Port-au-Prince (by Desperado) with Kirsten Brouwer
• Proud James (by Jameson RS2) with Mette Sejbjerg Jensen
• Pythagoras Wk (by All At Once) with Franka Loos
• Roman Empire (by Romanov) with Bart Veeze
• 1st reserve: Pitch Perfect (by Le Formidable) with Vai Bruntink
• 2nd reserve: Murk 540 (by Teun 505) with Franka Loos
• Bart Veeze’s own reserve: Pride (by Secret)

Six-Year-Olds:

• O’Toto Van De Wimphof (by Glock’s Toto Jr) with Diederik van Silfhout
• Obsession Taonga (by Vitalis) with Lara van Nek
• Odi Murona (by Blue Hors Farrell) with Tessa Kole
• Ohio (by Kaiman) with Kirsten Brouwer
• Opoque (by All At Once) with Rose Oatley
• Red Viper (by Romanov) with Dinja van Liere
• 1st reserve: Ortisei (by Glock’s Toto Jr) with Julia Groenhart
• 2nd reserve: Orange (by Vitalis) with Kim Alting

Seven-Year-Olds:

• Everest (by Especial) with Charlotte Fry
• Hexagon’s Nachtwacht (by Everdale) with Tessa Kole
• Ilegro (by Inclusive) with Charlotte Fry
• Naomyi de la Fazenda (by Secret) with Thalia Rockx
• Newton M (by Just Wimphof) with Aniek de Laat
• Nordic Blue Hors (by Totilas) with Danielle Heijkoop
• 1st reserve: Most Wanted Nero von Bellin (by Morricone) with Leonie Richter
• 2nd reserve: Nashville Sw (by Secret) with Femke de Laat

A question regarding the eligibility of youth riders to compete in both championships has been submitted to the WBFSH and FEI. Depending on their response, changes to the teams may still occur.

Proud James was granted permission by the committee to skip the final selection in Delft to avoid the long journey. The stallion had already delivered a strong performance in Nunspeet via a wildcard, providing the committee with sufficient information for selection.

Photo: Anniek de Wit
MvE for KWPN