Highest DPC day score for C pony Fudge VIP

LUNTEREN – Fudge VIP (by Wildzang Time Lustre) proved last Saturday in Lunteren during the DPC selection that smaller ponies can possess just as much quality as their larger counterparts. The C-pony was awarded 82.5 points by judges Paulien Alberts and Marije Kalshoven, winning the four-year-old class. Riden by Balou Bontekoe, he also achieved the day’s highest score with that total.

“Yes, that Fudge—Paulien and I really thought he was a great pony,” Marije Kalshoven begins. “In general—with both horses and ponies—you see that the walk is often a difficult gait, requiring extra attention to the stride length and precision. Fudge stood out because of his clean, well-executed walk, which really came from deep within his body. He was very relaxed.” So there was no hesitation in deciding on the score, and a magnificent nine was recorded on the score sheet. “In addition, Fudge showed great balance in all gaits. He has a natural air of dignity, and that beautiful balance allowed him to score even higher.”

Levi Heusinkveld took second place with Toddy LH (by Dreidimensional AT). The pair received 79.5 points, with scores ranging from 7.5 to 8.5. “Levi and Toddy delivered a very nice, consistent performance. She presented him very well; the trot was his strongest gait.”

It was Marije Pessel who rode Goldwin’s Hoeve’s Fired Up (by His Royal Badness DK) to a score half a point lower, thereby taking third place. “This pony was also presented very well. He had a very good canter, for which we gave an 8.5, but his carriage was just slightly less refined than that of the other two ponies.”

Full fringe

In the five-year-old class, top honors went—not for the first time—to Marjolein Ebbers and Amalia’s Marcus (by Nijebert’s Marc). The falcon-colored stallion received 81 points. “This was a very precise, consistent performance. Marcus has excellent conformation and three good gaits. He’s a pony with a lot of potential, and he’s already showing that in his collection,” says Marije. “Despite his age, he’s already showing glimpses of that composure where the aptitude for collection is very clearly present. He’s truly a very well-rounded pony: a beautiful conformation, good gaits, and he also demonstrated the right attitude.”
Cosmo Rubin (by Cosmo Royale) was placed second with 78 points. The NRPS gelding was ridden by Amy Bax and delivered a very solid performance, earning scores of 7.5 and 8. “Cosmo Rubin proved to be a very nice, manageable pony with correct gaits. Amy also presented him very well.”

Third place in this category went to Ize Herwers, who presented Meedenblik’s Legend (by Orchard Boginov). The pair received 75.5 points. “Legend is also a stallion, and he was a bit distracted by his hormones. Still, he was very easy to ride despite that. We thought he was a very beautiful pony in terms of conformation and gave him an 8.5 for that. He still lacks a bit of power, which brought his score down slightly,” said Marije.

Old Friends

The winner in the six-year-old class was a familiar face: Monaco WNE (by FS Mr. Right). Last year, he won the final in the five-year-old class under Lizette Kamper. This time, the gelding—previously approved for stud service by the NRPS—was ridden by Bridget Lock. The pair scored 78 points. “Monaco has a lot of natural talent for correct movement,” Marije explains. “He also has quite a bit of power, and his gaits are exceptionally clean. To achieve a higher score, his contact needs a bit of work—it could be a little longer.”

Jimmy TGD (by Rondo’s Cerruti) and Tessa Goedhardt finished in second place. The pair scored 76 points. “I really enjoyed watching this pair,” says Marije, “they moved around the arena together with such joy! Tessa rode very correctly, keeping her hands nicely forward. The walk could use a little more space.”

Bringing up the rear among the prize winners was Jinthe Nipius with Just A Champ (by Jonkers’ Jayden), with 75.5 points. “Jinthe also presented her pony very nicely and correctly. The walk is something to work on.” Both the trot and canter received an 8.