Although he didn't win todays competition, Hessel Hoekstra did not let go of the lead in the 1.20m class of the Blom Stallion Competition. New Pleasure (sired by For Pleasure) delivered consistent faultless rounds throughout the entire competition and secured the fourth position in today's jump-off.

The winner of the day, Sambucci de Muze (Hunter’s Scendro out of Malissa de Muze by Vigo d’Arsouilles), bred by Joris de Brabander and co-owned by VDL Stud, couldn't compete for the overall competition victory. The BWP stallion was approved for the KWPN stud service with 88 points during the autumn inspection, allowing him to participate in his first competition in Groningen. He was invited to the performance test through the Blom Cup.

A fantastic athlete
"I was surprised that he was so fast. My plan was actually to ride six strides in the first line, but it turned out to be seven. But he is so fast, smart, and he pays great attention. He jumps very smoothly, and smooth is always fast," said Luke Hill afterward. He has been riding the stallion since he was three and is clearly fond of him. "He is truly a fantastic athlete. Just perfect. So much blood, careful and smart. I have been riding him since he was three, and now he is six, so we know each other very well."

VDL stallions take 1st and 2nd place
New Pleasure VDL (For Pleasure out of Lady-A ter Putte by Diamant de Semilly, bred by the De Maertelaere family/Stal Van de Zuidakker) and Hessel Hoekstra seemed on track for the daily victory but lost some time in the turn to the double. Nevertheless, the stallion could step forward as the winner of the Blom Stallion Competition 1.20m. The biggest competitor for New Pleasure VDL was Night Life VDL (Erco van ’t Roosakker out of Ialba VDL elite IBOP-spr PROK by Arezzo VDL). With David Alex Gill, VDL stallion secured the second place overall and a third place in the daily competition, with only a 0.02-second difference from the second-placed horse. Newmarket VM (Chacoon Blue out of Nouvelle Star Z by Numero Uno, bred by Paul van Montfor) jumped with Kars Bonhof to the second place in the daily competition, ultimately earning him the third place in the overall ranking.

Source: KWPN
Photo New Pleasure VDL: Dirk Caremans