World Cup gold for Rodinde Rutjens with Welsh spaniel

Rodinde Rutjens captured the gold medal at the World Ponymen's Championship in Kisbér-Ászár in the two-horse event with the NWR ponies Milano and Sven. In addition, she was part of the Dutch team that won silver. Individual silver was for Melanie van de Bunt (two-in-hand) and Marijke Hammink (four-in-hand), both with Welsh A's for carriage.

Melanie van de Bunt, Marijke Hammink
and Team NL win silver

Sixteen years after her father won World Cup gold with his two-horse team, it was now Rodinde Rutjens' turn to match that achievement with her two-horse ponies.

Rodinde already laid the foundation for her victory in dressage by finishing third in that event. With her fifth place in the marathon and fourth place in the skill, the only 22-year-old driver rode a very consistent competition and was able to receive her gold plaque.

The span of Rodinde Rutjens

• Kuikhornster Milano (NWR)
  • Heitrak's Marvin x Bokkesprong Czardas
  • 10-year-old bay gelding
  • Breeder: R. Vaatstra, Noardburgum
• Majan S Sven (NWR)
  • Pedigree name: Majan's Swen
  • Heitrak's Marvin x Bokkesprong Casjmier
  • 10-year-old bay gelding
  • Breeder: J.G. Janssen, Ysselsteyn (LB)
• Vasco (NRPS v. Viva la Bam)

Melanie van de Bunt

Next to Rodinde, Melanie van de Bunt was allowed to line up with her two-horse Welsh section A ponies Sunstars Calvados (Oldenzijlster Action Man x Ozal; breeder: Fam. Pas, Rijssen), Rötgers Xander (Ceulan Simwnt x High Chaparral's Timber; breeder: Gebr. Poortier, Ommen) and Tums (Wesla Trysor x Emilio van de Garderenshof; breeder: M.C.T. van Elzakker, Lepelstraat).

Melanie rode a strong race in three events and the silver was well deserved. The national coach is not only pleased with the performance of these two ladies. He also sees the future in the fifth place of Cas Hendriks and the eleventh place of Nathalie van der Ende: “It is nice that the Dutch two-horse ponies are back on the map,” concludes Aarts with satisfaction.

Marijke Hammink

The four-horse drivers Edith Chardon and Marijke Hammink, who both ride Welsh A's, were in silver and bronze position prior to the final skill. The pressure on the top three of the intermediate rankings proved great, as they were also going to decide the color of the team medal.

Reigning Dutch champion Marijke Hammink rode two balls to the turf. Edith Chardon then could not make a mistake to help the Netherlands to gold, but left the track with 17.86 penalty points and plummeted in the standings.

That some riders made mistakes is, according to the national coach, the understandable result of the pressure combined with the relative (international) inexperience of some riders. Steffen Brauchle also rode far from flawless, but narrowly stayed ahead of Marijke Hammink, so Hammink - who was also a team member - returned home with two silver medals in her pocket.

The team ponies with which Hammink competed consisted of:

Wohld Neal (Vierhoek's Noah x Arvalon Pip; Breeder: Inga Bödecker, D), Ysselvliedts Curley Mate (De Weyerd's Hello Showman x Vechtzicht's Cymro Bach; breeder H.R. and Y.B. Zoet, Wezep), Beech Court's Wesley (Cui Pendragon x Springborne Claret; breeder: Fam. Wolters, Nieuw-Buinen), Breuker's Bobby Brown (Powys Sprite x Abberthome's Hello-Boy; breeder: K. Notteboom, B) and Pete from the Dune Garden (unknown parentage).

Read the KNHS report of the 2019 Ponymen's World Cup here

An extensive (photo) report by Theo ten Brinke appears in the upcoming edition of the Welsh Pony & Cob Magazine

Source: NWPCS / KNHS