Young jumping talent took center stage at the Dutch Pony Championship Aanlegtest 2025 on Saturday, October 4. In Lathum the best young ponies of the Netherlands came together for a day full of sporting highlights. Judges Piet Raijmakers Sr., Joost Siemerink and Henk Frederiks visibly enjoyed the level. “There were combinations among them today that really promise a lot for the future,” Raijmakers sr. said afterwards. The judges not only praised the ponies' technique and scope, but also their rideability in the ring.

The three judges together formed a rock-solid team that judged not only strictly, but also constructively. They took the time to follow all combinations carefully and gave the young riders valuable tips to work on at home. The ponies were judged on technique, scope, power, canter, rideability and overall impression, with each part playing an important role in the final total.

Raijmakers Sr. emphasized that “good cooperation between pony and rider with accompanying control form the basis for everything that comes later,” while Siemerink added that “in some ponies you really already see a natural jump that promises a lot for the future.” Frederiks brought his experience from the sport into the judging and paid keen attention to the talent the ponies showed in the ring. Each combination was expertly discussed by him via microphone afterwards, giving riders and audience alike insight into the judging.

There was also a special role for Jos Houwen, who observed the combinations both in the ring and in the loose arena to judge their harmony and fairness. The combination that showed the most relaxed and honest performances could count on the Röwer & Rüb Fairness Trophy, an extra prize that puts the real happy athletes in the limelight.

The day was enthusiastically and expertly chatted up by none other than Bert de Ruiter, whose familiar voice provided a lively and informative backdrop to the program.

The prize winners were well spoiled this day. For the numbers 1 a unique blanket of Hypostore was available, the numbers 2 got a chic Equisport blanket & for the numbers 3 there was a stylish Eijerkamp blanket ready. The following prizes were made available by Hartog and ehorses. All participants also received a stable plaque and received a commemorative ribbon after riding the aptitude test.

Four-year-olds: Kjento convinces in strong field of competitors

The class for four-year-old ponies had thirty combinations and produced a high-level battle. The approved stallion Molenberg's Kjento (by Lomansheide Hunter, NNFPS), ridden by Ize Herwers, jumped convincingly to victory with a total score of 52 points. The stallion received a 9 for canter and rideability and 8.5 for technique and scope, and stood out for his natural balance. Afterwards, this combination received the sash on, the rosette pinned on and a medal in the award ceremony.

There was a special moment for breeder Twan Bannink, who himself was present in Lathum and received the breeder's premium of €150, made possible by the DPC Business Club. His breeding product was thus literally and figuratively in the center of attention.

Check Gruyter's Liefmans (s. Hattrick Collin, NNFPS) with Marjolein Rademakers followed in second place with 50.5 points, where especially the canter score of 9.5 stood out. Oosterhoeve's Wiseguy (by Leuns Veld's Winston Jr., NRPS) with Ravi Lavrijssen finished third with 50 points, thanks to strong technique (8.5) and a powerful scope. Fourth place went to Vlijthoeve's Briljantje (49 points) with Vycho Lurvink, while Roza's Locarno VIP with Gwen Overzee was fifth with 48 points.

The Fairness Award in this section was awarded to the aforementioned Gwen Overzee and her Roza's Locarno VIP. The combination received the beautiful dark green blanket and a trophy presented by Luc Claasens, delegate on behalf of Röwer & Rüb. The judges praised the relaxed way of riding and the trust between rider and pony.

Then the best ponies present were honored by studbook. Molenberg's Kjento was declared the best NNFPS pony in the four-year-olds, Oosterhoeve's Wiseguy was the best NRPS and Popeye HD, the best registered NWPCS pony also received recognition. They received additional prizes in the form of blankets provided by the respective studbooks.

Five-year-olds: Nibbit impresses with highest daily score and wins Prestige saddle

The five-year-olds' class, with 36 participants, produced spectacular sport. The win went convincingly to Nibbit (by Ambler Gambler, KWPN), ridden by Sophie Vos, with a total score of 53.5 points. The gelding received 9.5 for scope and power and showed himself as a complete jumping pony throughout the course. The award ceremony was a festive moment: Nibbit received the sash on, the rosette and medal, and rode a lap of honor amid loud applause.

The absolute highlight followed later in the day, when Sophie and Nibbit once again appeared in the lane for the presentation of the additional overall prize. This prestigious prize - a Prestige saddle that will later be custom-made - was for the pony with the highest score of the day in the ability test. Amid great applause, Sophie saddled her Nibbit once again to receive the prize. The presentation was received with visible enthusiasm by riders, audience and organization and once again emphasized the special quality and future prospects of this combination.

Mylan (by Hilin Prince Rondo, NWPCS) with Maud Diks came second with 51.5 points. The judges especially appreciated the technique (9) and the constant, smooth jump. Third was Lynn (by Kristall of Orchid's, AES) with Maud Born, whose scope and overall impression also earned her 51.5 points. Fourth place went to Cedro Z with Tessy van der Velden Jonkers (50.5), followed by Magic Mexx Gipsy B-K with Fender van den Akker (50).

The Röwer & Rüb Fairness Award was presented to Fleur Jansen with Molenberg's Nikki (NNFPS). The combination received the trophy from the hands of Luc Claasens. The jury praised the careful and harmonious way of riding, which set an example for others.

Also in the five-year-olds, the best ponies per studbook were highlighted. These extra prizes were made available by the Dutch pony studbooks, which have faithfully supported the Dutch Pony Championship since its first edition. Mylan was named best NWPCS pony, Cedro Z received the honor on behalf of the NRPS and Mustsaards Blueberry was the highest scoring NNFPS pony. All three combinations were allowed to receive a special studbook blanket in appreciation of their achievements within their breeding direction.

Six-year-olds: Turfhorst Memphis shows great class

In the six-year-olds, the battle was between 24 combinations. Turfhorst Memphis (by Jonkers’ Jayden, NWPCS) under Eva Sloof jumped with a lot of suppleness and conviction to victory with 52 points. His canter and rideability, both rated 9, were the deciding factors. This double approved stallion at both NWPCS and NRPS showed with his performance all the qualities of a real future topper.

Eikenhorst Dylan (by Leuns Veld's Winston Jr., NRPS) with Daan de Bruijn followed in second place with 51.5 points, with a rideability of 9.5 standing out in particular. Ophelia (by Conthargos, KWPN) with Berber Nijland was third with 51 points thanks to a technically strong round. Fourth place went to Molenberg's Quin with Lauren Herwers (51), and Havehoeve's Igo with Olivier Jansen was fifth with 50.5.

The Fairness Award in this section was awarded to Lauren Herwers with Molenberg's Quin. They were also presented with the dark green blanket and trophy by Luc Claasens on behalf of Röwer & Rüb. The judges praised the combination for their relaxed and consistent image throughout the entire test.

This was followed by the honoring of the best ponies by studbook. Turfhorst Memphis received the honor on behalf of the NWPCS, Eikenhorst Dylan for the NRPS and Molenberg's Quin for the NNFPS. All three received an extra studbook blanket in appreciation of their performance.

Successful edition of Jumping DPC

In addition to the jumping finals, this year's regular Jumping DPC also proved to be a great success. With more than 130 combinations, there was a full-day program and a record number of entries - more than ever before. Wonderful prizes were also provided in these classes. For each winner there was a blanket ready, made available by Hypostore, which gave the award ceremonies a festive touch.

The day started strong with Ella Kuster taking the win in Class C 0.70M style with Rockbury Organza. In the DE 0.70M class on style, it was Marjolein Rademakers who beat the competition well behind with Check Gruyter's Liefmans. Fleur Jansen then took the win in the DE 0.80M riding style course with A New Zento FE.

Selin van Vliet made herself heard by winning no less than two classes. With Enjoy she won the class C 0.80M, and with Oliver Twist she was also the fastest in the DE 1.00M 2-phase course. Fleur van Kleef was the winner of the C 0.90M with Bonne Femme.

The biggest class of the day was the Born to Play Prize, run over DE 0.90M - 2 Phase Special. Born to Play had provided wonderful prizes for this class, including a blanket for the winner. That honor went to Danique Mussers, who took the win convincingly with Star.

The final chord was for Phylène Hendriks, who won the combined class DE 1.10M - 1.20M with Carrigoir Mandy, concluding a splendid sporting day.

Thanks to everyone who makes the DPC possible

The successful and well-attended edition of Jumping DPC brought the 2025 DPC season to an impressive close. None of this would have been possible without the indispensable support of all our sponsors and the Dutch pony studbooks who have been behind the initiative from the very beginning. Our thanks also go to the many volunteers, judges, course builders, ringmasters and support teams, who put in an enormous effort to make Jumping DPC 2025 a success.

With a head full of fond memories, we look back on a season full of sportsmanship, talent and happy faces.

At the same time, we look ahead to 2026, full of courage and brimming with ideas, in which we want to take the championship to the next level once again.

But first, we will take time to enjoy these special editions, the many talented combinations and the lucky prize winners who gave color to this year's DPC. We hope to welcome everyone back next year for another inspiring season.