Final judge Marlies van Baalen: “Curious to see which toppers we'll see back internationally soon.”

LATHUM - Saturday, August 24, the third final of the Dutch Pony Championship will take place. After two years in IJsselmuiden this now moves to the Equestrian Center in Lathum. The best four-, five- and six-year-old dressage ponies will put their best foot forward here this week. Guest judge for this final is none other than Olympic dressage rider Marlies van Baalen.

Marlies van Baalen is unmissable in top sport. In 2004 she competed in the Olympics with Blom's Idocus and in 2021 she was there with Go Legend. Last year with Habibi she became Dutch champion Heavy Tour/Seniors. This Saturday she will be in the ring in Lathum, assisted by DPC judges Paulien Alberts and Trudi Houwen, to pick out and place the best ponies in each age category. “It's my first time judging at the DPC,” says Marlies. “I'm really looking forward to it! Together with my mother, I am of course in the middle of the sport, both at pony and horse level.”

Instagram

It may be Marlies“ first time judging, but the Dutch Pony Championship is certainly not unknown to her. ”I've already seen beautiful ponies passing by on Instagram, mind you,“ she laughs. ”It seems like a lot of fun to see a group like that and judge the talent in the Netherlands. And then it will be even more interesting to keep an eye on them in the coming years and see who we see back at the top. That's also the beauty of such a competition. The ponies that win now might represent the Netherlands at the European Championships in a few years."

Natural disposition

The best group of ponies in each age category were invited to the finals. “I think it's important to look closely at natural ability. That's what you ultimately want to judge on. Of course, a four-year-old has only been under saddle for a short time. It is logical that they don't walk in the collection yet, and don't go uphill as much as a six-year-old. You should not want that. But that natural ability, you can see that, and that is what it is all about,” she is adamant.

Training
In addition to talent, Marlies believes it is important to judge on neat riding and presentation. “Such a competition is part of training. They may get scared once, that's all part of it. More important is that we see how the children solve it. In addition, of course you want to have a complete pony. For me it is very important that ponies allow themselves to be worked on. For example, the bridle doesn't have to be finished yet, but you do want to see that they are easy to ride. The overall picture should look easy and light - and then it doesn't matter if you're looking at a horse or a pony, or if it's young or old. Easy and light is what horsemanship is all about,” she concludes.

Whereas in previous years the dressage and show jumping finals were held simultaneously, the show jumping final has now been moved to Oct. 5 (also in Lathum) and will be held there together with a show jumping competition.

Prices

As always, there are great prizes to be won at the DPC finals. VH Rosettes has again provided the ribbons and champion sashes. For the champion there is a blanket sponsored by Hypostore. The numbers two and three also receive a blanket, sponsored by Equisport and Paardenkliniek Wolvega. Sponsors for follow prizes in place four and five are Hippisch Advocaat and Hypostore (saddle pads). And, as in previous years, for the overall dressage winner, the pony with the highest score in the final, there is the grand prize: a dressage saddle from top brand Custom Saddlery, the brand that champions ride with!