The KWPN stallion Opoque lived up to the high expectations in the final for the four-year-olds at the WC for Young Dressage Horses. The son of All at Once received 85.6% in this competitive class, which is not a world championship. The Dutch blood was widely spread in this class, as the foreign entries included two Vitalis-offspring and the runner-up, Josi, is a daughter of the KWPN-bred Jovian. 

During the qualification the horse bred by Willeke Bos exceeded the 90 percent threshold. Today he was not able to match that, although the KWPN stallion was lauded by the jury. “A great test for this superb stallion. In trot we saw a lot of freedom in the shoulder, ample balance and a beautiful frame. The stallion demonstrated lengthy strides in the extended paces and good transitions. In the canter we again notice abundant rhythm and the stallion covers a lot of ground. A promising and willing horse that sways through the arena with so much balance and performed a very consistent test today”, explains commentating judge Thomas Kessler after the winning performance of Opoque (All at Once out of Ice Princess STH elite sport-dres IBOP-dres PROK D-OC by Davino V.O.D.). 

On Air is on air

Dinja van Liere piloted Fontaine-son On Air (out of Jaydee ster by El Capone, breeder J.W.H. Huurneman) to 84%. “You were truly ‘on air’ with this horse”, enthuses the commentating judge. “The trot is light-footed, elastic and On Air has a such a self-carried posture. The walk has a pure four beat rhythm but could be more relaxed. The canter is full of energy, uphill and powerful. The straightness of this horse is remarkable, and so are the beautiful transitions.”

Quality final 

Othello van de Molenkouter (Escamillo out of Lady Diamond van de Molenkouter D-OC by Governor, bred by Arno de Pauw) ridden by Riccardo Sanavo was awarded 81 percent. Sharon van Dijk guided Secret-daughter Odierella Q (out of Jurella B elite IBOP-dres PROK D-OC by Desperado bred by J. Quartel) to 76.20%.

Source: KWPN

Photo Opoque: Dirk Caremans