Strong opening selection for Dutch Pony Championship at NK Dressage Ermelo; Koetsiershoeve Total Power, Vida Loca and Vlagberg's Rocky Mountain VIP to win

Last Sunday, May 31, the first selection competition of the Dutch Pony Championship 2026 was held during the NK Dressage in Ermelo. At the National Equestrian Center, young sport ponies from all over the country competed in the four-, five- and six-year-old classes. Thus, the NK Dressage formed the backdrop for the kickoff of the DPC season.

The combination of top sport and the international show ambiance created a special atmosphere surrounding the opening selection. The DPC classes were run simultaneously with the freestyle of the Grand Prix Seniors - traditionally the absolute highlight of the NK Dressage - in which Marieke van der Putten eventually won the national title. For the participants in the Dutch Pony Championship this meant a unique opportunity to present their young ponies in the middle of the atmosphere of a major championship.

Under mostly good weather conditions, the combinations were able to present themselves optimally throughout the day. Due to a brief thunderstorm, the program had to be temporarily halted once, but fortunately the competition could be resumed shortly afterwards.

Judging was in the hands of DPC panel member Paulien Alberts and guest judge Bastiaan de Recht. During the day the emphasis in judging was on harmony, balance, rideability and the correct training of the young ponies. The judges visibly enjoyed the combinations that appeared in the ring.

Lots of quality in the leading group in the four-year-old ponies

In the class for four-year-old ponies, seventeen combinations appeared at the start. The victory went convincingly to the stallion Koetsiershoeve Total Power (by Total Hope) under Sophie Berkhoff. The combination showed a very complete image and impressed especially with a powerful trot, rewarded with a 9, as well as a 9 for harmony and carrying & suppleness. The canter was also highly rated with an 8.5, resulting in a total score of 83 points. According to Paulien Alberts, “a very fine pony with a lot of quality presented itself here,” while Bastiaan de Recht was impressed by the stallion's balance and hind leg. “A pony that runs nicely uphill, has a lot of balance for a four-year-old and actually feels like a horse in pony body,” said De Recht, who additionally complimented the training level of the combination.

Second place went to Gruyter's Private Dancer (by Davinci du Bois) under Amy Vos. The NNFPS registered gelding showed a consistent and harmonious performance and scored an 8.5 for carrying and suppleness, an 8.5 for harmony and also an 8.5 for conformation. This earned the combination a total of 79.5 points.
Shortly behind, DJ's Her Royal Hailey (by His Royal Badness DK) under Jaley van der Wetering finished in third place. The NRPS mare particularly stood out in the walk, for which she received an 8.5 from the judges. In addition, the combination showed a constant image with several eights, good for a total score of 79 points.

Harmonious picture wins in five-year-old class

The five-year-old ponies also appeared in an appealing class. Several combinations during the test knew how to appreciate their movements, in particular the quality of the trot and canter of several ponies stood out positively.

The victory went to Vida Loca (by Hattrick Collin) under Noë-Joy Beerens. Vida Loca is registered with the NNFPS studbook. The gelding showed a harmonious and loose moving overall picture and scored strongly with several 8.5’s for trot, canter, carrying and flexibility, harmony and general impression. This gave the combination a convincing total score of 81.5 points and the victory. According to Bastiaan de Recht the pony already showed a lot of balance, while Paulien Alberts said she enjoyed the neat performance and emphasized the harmonious image the combination showed.

Second place went to Wonderboy VIP (by Leuns Veld's Winston Jr.) under Balou Bontekoe. The NRPS registered gelding stood out with his canter, for which the judges awarded a 9. In addition, the combination showed a constant image including an 8 for trot and carrying and suppleness. That resulted in a total of 79 points. In third place was Ruby Lena (by Joop TC!) under Ilana Struving. The mare scored strongly on the walk and conformation, both good for an 8, and eventually earned a total of a handsome 76 points.

Strong canter gives win in six-year-olds

In the six-year-old ponies, a smaller but appealing field of competitors appeared at the start.
The victory went to Vlagberg's Rocky Mountain VIP (by Nijbert's Marc) Breeder: H. Angenent Owner: Dan-Vy Bosse under Balou Bontekoe. The gelding is registered with the NWPCS. The combination showed an appealing overall picture and scored strongly with an 8 for both walk and canter. Exterior was also rewarded with an 8, resulting in a total score of 77 points.
Paulien Alberts described the winner as “a well-built, beautiful pony.” Bastiaan de Recht raved about the way she moved, “A pony that runs uphill nicely and where the canter really stood out.”

Second place went to Don Martinique van de Puttehof (by Don Cremello du Bois) under Jackie van Eeghen. The NRPS gelding showed a consistent performance and scored an 8 for canter and conformation, among other things. This earned the combination a total of 76.5 points. In third place was Clueso vd Oude Meerdijk (by Cosmo Royale) under Isa Sipkens. Clueso is also registered with the NRPS. The gelding showed a correct and consistent image with several 7.5’s for the basic gaits and harmony, good for a total of 74 points.On to Heerewaarden After a successful opening of the season at the NK Dressage, the Dutch Pony Championship travels further to Heerewaarden on June 13. The next selection competition will be held at the location of stallion station van Uytert, the location has been made available by Joop and Renate van Uytert.
There, the judging will be in the hands of Bart Bax, along with guest judge Marijn van Dijk.

Combinations still wishing to compete in the 2026 Dutch Pony Championship can still apply for this and other selection competitions later this season.