World Cup gold for Welshmen riders Marijke Hammink and Rodinde Rutjens + photo series

At the World Pony Driving Championships in Oirschot last weekend, Welshmen riders Marijke Hammink (four-in-hand) and Rodinde Rutjens (two-in-hand) were able to prolong their World Cup titles. In the two-horse team, the entire podium consisted of Dutch drivers with Welsh ponies.

[Photo series at bottom of article]

In the singles, there were no medals for the Netherlands and provided Anniek Schuiling with Denenbourgh's Doortje (by Reekamp's Eclipse, NNFPS) with her fourth place for the best Dutch result.

Top ten Welsh single pans

The best Welsh in the singles was the NWR Zandberg's Habakuk (by Wengelo's Ricardo, breeder G. Zandbergen) who finished fifth with France's Marie Verna.

Place six was for the Italian Andrea Pili with the NWR Blakt's Darwina (by Heitrak's Marvin, breeder Fam. Vullings) and place eight for the Dutchman Brent Janssen with the Welsh section B Regina's Hielke (by Casperhof's Freddy, breeder J. Doornewaard) who won the silver medal at the previous WC. Tenth was Belgian Sebastien Pallen with the NWR Zeldenrust's Renegade (by Leuns Veld's Zandro, breeder A.M. Verstegen).

Full Welsh stage

In the two-horse team, the entire podium consisted of Welshmen. Rodinde Rutjens won World Cup gold for the third time in a row. She did so with the NWRs De Kuilen's Brody (s. Orchard Red Prince, breeding Fam. Crebas), Kuikhornster Milano (s. Heitrak's Marvin, breeding R. Vaatstra) and Majan's Swen (s. Heitrak's Marvin, breeding J. G. Janssen).

Melanie van de Bunt and her Welsh A-span Storm (Weston Attraction x Vechtzicht's Hywel, Tumtum (by Wesla Trysor, breeder M.C.T. van Elzakker) and Zuidhoeve's Henzel (by Roetsenest's Hummer, breeder J.A.G. Lambers) bid farewell to competitive sport with a silver medal.

Bronze was for Cas Hendriks with Jip (by Powys (NL) Fizz), breeder. F.A. Koskamp-van de Baan), Mister Jim (by Keizers Marcel, breeder A.A. Hollegien) and Sunstar's Cloud (by Oldenzijlster Action Man, breeder Fam. Pas).

Finishing in place seven was another Welsh span, Denmark's Maria Buchwald with Bloklands Hoeve's Cupido (NWR v. Heitrak's Marvin, breeder H. Loopers), De Klumperts Moonstar (WPBR v. FS Champion de Luxe, breeder Kinderen Vloet) and Don 553.

Second World Cup title

Marijke Hammink captured the individual title for the second time in the pony foursomes. In her team the Welsh section A ponies Beukenhof's Wesley (by Cui Pendragon, breeding H. Wolters), Gert (by Gramblin Echo, breeding J.D. Jelschen), Pietje v.d. Knollentuin (unknown), Roosendaal's Thunder (v. Vechtzicht's Cymro Bach, fok.W. van Grootheest) and Ysselvliedts Curley Mate (v. Deweyerd's Hello Showman, fok. fam. Zoet).

Belgian Julien van Hoenacker finished fourth with the A's Blitz, Rhosbrenin Hedydd (2nd bez. by Sunwillow paris, breeder T. Jones), Timmij (by Wrentnall Gold, breeder W.J. Schut-Bloemendal), Trippel and Vierhoek's Jackson (by Springbourne Glide, breeder. P. Peeters. Fifth was his compatriot Tinne Bax with the section A-span Beukenhof's Iwan (v. Vechtzicht's Commanchero, breeder H. Wolters), Cuppers Salinero (Oldenzijlster Axel, breeder M.J.A. Janssen), and the Dobber family bred Vechtzicht's Commanchero (by Friars Divine Spirit), Vechtzicht's Consul (by Vechtzicht's Harmony) and Vechtzicht's Challenger (2nd bez. by Vechtzicht's Harmony).

Jan de Boer finished sixth with the section A studbook stallion Heideparks Him (by Spoorzicht's Hilfiger, breeder G.J. Vrolijken), the Nijkerken family-bred studbook stallions Shore Brooks Hole in One, Shorebrooks Hot N Spicy (by Dyfed Prophet) and Shorebrooks Hot Tropic (by Eppynt Quick Silver) and Templedruid Smirnoff (by Weston Rocket).

German Niels Kneiffel finished seventh with his section A span Essenakkers Wonderboy, Topper, Weidehoeks Henkie, Weltevreden's Purple Rain (by Vechtzicht's Commanchero, breeding N. and J. Venhuizen) and Ysselvliedts Cosmar.

In tenth place was Swiss rider Dominic Falk with Crumpwel Blue Print, De Merlenberg's Jesse (by Llanor Paddy, breeder T.M.G.J. Aarts), Stardust Vayu, Three B Rhion and Three B Silver Boy.

Team orange clinched the world title. TtB

Medals.

Bold are spans with Welsh ponies

Singles:

Gold: Cedric Scherrer (Zwi) - 143.94 penalty points
Silver: Berengere Cressent (Fra) - 149.72 penalty points
Bronze: Anna Genkinger (Ger) - 151.86 penalty points

Two-horse:

Gold: Rodinde Rutjens (Weert) - 146.00 penalty points
Silver: Melanie van de Bunt (Lathem) - 151.25 penalty points
Bronze: Cas Hendriks (Zeeland) - 153.99 penalty points

Fourhorse:

Marijke Hammink (Bornerbroek) - 155.46 penalty points
Yannick Scherrer (Zwi) - 156.93 penalty points
Steffen Brauchle (Ger - 170.66 penalty points