Welsh Cob Altingshof Eelay successful Z1 dressage

Linda Bomhof-Mekking (39) is going like a rocket with her Welsh Cob Altingshof Eelay (by Sparkling Boy). On Jan. 19, 2019, the combination started Z1 dressage for the first time and now a month later they already have five wins and two first prizes in that class.

Linda Bomhof bought the Altingshof Eelay bred by Willie Buyzer and Ilse van der Plaat as a foal in 2008. “That was after the death of my KWPN riding horse. My eye fell on the ad for the colt Eelay and I instantly fell in love. So the choice was quickly made. We will continue with Welsh ponies, also under saddle.”

Linda's love for the Welsh pony began 21 years earlier. Back then, she bought a Welsh A foal as a companion pony for her KWPN riding horse. “Ramiro has been in our possession for 21 years now. The Welsh pony's stubborn but workmanlike character and charisma helped us fall in love with this breed. In the years that Ramiro has been with us now, he also characterizes the versatility of the breed. In addition to him, we have owned several Welsh-A ponies.”

Welsh Cob among dressage horses

Altingshof Eelay was gelded as a three-year-old. “At the time I thought I was going to ride Eelay mainly recreationally, but so that turned out very differently. Now we know we can perform well with a Welsh Cob among dressage horses.”

Linda Bomhof continues, “Altingshof Eelay has the typical Welsh character; stubborn and sometimes naughty, but very willing to work and eager to learn. He is a very nice pony to work with and to handle. At the riding club people sometimes laugh at his excesses and macho behavior in class, but at competition he knows how to walk and perform very consistently.”

Bomhof applied for a starting pass at the end of 2014 and since then has successfully started Eelay at dressage competitions among the horses. For example, they managed to select for the Gelderlander championships and were allowed to ride finals there. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the duo participated in the Welsh Cup and managed to qualify in Hellendoorn to participate in Kootwijk. Again and again a class higher. “We flew through the classes and we only switched when we achieved the maximum number of victory points. Moreover, we started an average of one competition per month.”

Not disadvantaged

Linda Bomhof never feels aggrieved by the judges because she rides a Welsh Cob. “My experience is that if you put down a neat test and ride your exercises well, they can't ignore that. We are often seen as a standout at competitions. People also often ask what breed he is. I then proudly tell them about my Welsh Cob.

“Whereas at first I didn't even think about competing, later on I hoped to start Z and now that we are at that point, we are going for the highest! For dressage lessons I go to Laura van Cittert. She has helped us grow and brought us to where we are now. I haven't ridden at this level myself before, so this is also new for me and there is still a lot to learn. For the competitions, I can count on the support of my friend and regular groom Cindy Brouwer, who has been with us since the beginning.”

Welsh Cob is top!

“Eelay is very eager to learn and work. We will see what it brings us. I am therefore enormously proud as owner and rider of such a topper: a Welsh Cob is top!” concludes Linda Bomhof.