DPC: finalists dressage ponies known, jumping ponies you can still register

The grand final of the Dutch Pony Championship (DPC) is getting closer and closer: on Saturday, September 3 (starting at 10:00 am) the selected dressage ponies and the registered jumping ponies will compete at the Deltaruiters in IJsselmuiden for the highest honor and interesting prizes.

In cooperation with the three studbooks of NRPS, Welsh and New Forest ponies, the organizers of the DPC worked hard to put together a dike of a national championship for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old ponies, leaving nothing to chance.

Dressage

The first year's focus is still primarily on dressage, and talents have been preselected at seven selection competitions throughout the country, so that on Sept. 3 the crème de la crème will really present themselves to the judges. And that jury is made up of renowned specialists. They are international Grand Prix rider and KNHS judge Tommie van Puijenbroek-Visser and Olympic Games participant Yessin Rahmouni for dressage.

Jump

Judging in the show jumping ponies is in the hands of international show jumping rider and former team coach Rob Ehrens.

For the 4-, 5- and 6-year-old jumping ponies, there has not yet been a selection opportunity this first year. However, they can be directly entered for the finals, and the Registration is still open until Tuesday, Aug. 30. The competition consists of two courses.

The fact that the show jumping ponies did not have to be selected has mainly a logistical reason. It is easier to link a dressage competition to a mare inspection, for example, while a show jumping competition is not possible everywhere. In order to get the championship right the first year, the organization decided to concentrate on the selection of the dressage participants. For future years, qualification of the jumping ponies is also on the program.

Finalists known

The dressage finalists have now been announced. The three highest rated 4-year-olds so far are the NRPS-approved stallions Hexagon's Dragonfly and Der Charmeur KH, and the Welsh-approved stallion Hendi's Picasso. In the 5-year-olds, three geldings have accumulated the most points so far: Spoorzicht's Jaguar, Dijkshof's Donchello and Tijesto L.H. And in the 6-year-olds, the gelding Goldwinshoeve VJ, the mare Happy Socks and the Welsh-approved stallion Spoorzicht's Jupiler are among the biggest contenders for the top prizes. And those prizes are not only the usual cup, ribbons and state blankets, but also vouchers.

Breeder's premium

In addition, the breeders of the winning ponies in each age category of both jumping and dressage will be awarded a breeder's premium of €300 cash. This premium has been made available by members of the DPC Business Club. A condition for receiving the cash is that the breeder is personally present at the award ceremony, the homage and the photo opportunity.

A total of twenty-one 4-year-olds, nineteen 5-year-olds and fourteen 6-year-old dressage ponies will compete in the finals.

Feel welcome! Spot the best ponies in the Netherlands, meet breeders and enjoy your potential stallion for breeding. Entrance is free, see you in IJsselmuiden.

Source: Press Release