It was nearly a one-two-three finish for VDL Stud, but ultimately the stallions Night Life VDL and New Pleasure VDL took the top places in the KWPN Championship for six-year-olds.

While there’s nothing quite like the Olympic sport in Paris, today in Ermelo we also enjoyed watching some exceptional show jumpers. These young talents have bright futures ahead. In the penultimate final of the day, the six-year-olds, there was an abundance of quality and impressive riding.

Competitive edge
VDL Stud rider Alex Gill finished at the top of the KWPN Championship for the second time. After winning in Exloo last year with Neelena VDL, he triumphed this time with the KWPN-approved stallion Night Life VDL (Erco van ’t Roosakker out of Ialba VDL elite IBOP-spr PROK by Arezzo VDL) bred by VDL Stud, who received the breeders' premium offered by the Friends of KWPN. “Night Life VDL is incredibly careful, competitive, and intelligent. It’s fantastic that we could win here. The KWPN Championship and the World Championships in Lanaken are our key peak moments this year,” his rider responded enthusiastically. Hessel Hoekstra was also keen on winning and came very close with the KWPN-approved stallion New Pleasure VDL (For Pleasure out of Lady-A ter Putte by Diamant de Semilly, breeder Familie De Maertelaere) from VDL Stud. “The best horse of the day won. I just lost it in the last line but I am very happy with how New Pleasure jumped all these days. Truly a horse for the future,” Hessel commented. Closely following was Joël Lustenberger with the Arezzo VDL daughter Nice Girl Dito (out of Ditodina elite sport-spr PROK by Carthino Z, breeder F.C.W. Slootmans) securing third place thanks to a fast clear round. A fault at the last fence kept the third VDL stallion, Sambucci de Muze (by Hunter’s Scendro), off the podium, resulting in a tenth place finish. The top nine combinations have been invited to the World Championships in Lanaken in September.

Read all about the KWPN Van Santvoort Makelaars Cup in the KWPN Magazine.

View the results

Overview page of KWPN Championships

JS for KWPN / Photo Night Life VDL – DigiShots