Tag Archives: Hans Peter Minderhoud

Dream Win for Minderhoud in Mechelen

Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Dream Boy NOP. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Glock’s Dream Boy NOP lived up to his name when carrying 2016 champion Hans Peter Minderhoud (45) from The Netherlands to victory at the seventh leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2018/2019 Western European League in Mechelen, Belgium.

At just 10 years of age, this young stallion is demonstrating colossal potential, and his score of 83.665 pinned 2013 series winner Helen Langehanenberg (36) from Germany and Damsey FRH into second, while the super-exciting Portuguese partnership of Maria Caetano (32) and Coroado strutted their way into third.

The final five all produced stunning performances, with Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen (35) finishing fourth with Dante Weltino OLD despite some miscommunications early in their test, and Ireland’s Judy Reynolds (37) making a great comeback with Vancouver K to line up in fifth place.

Mechelen was also making a welcome come-back this week after a few years’ absence from the FEI Dressage World Cup™ circuit. So just before the prizegiving ceremony was perfect timing for an emotional farewell tribute to Tiamo, the 18-year-old gelding that carried Belgium’s Jorinde Verwimp to many great moments and who finished eighth on their very last outing together.

Minderhoud’s win is another milestone in the rapid progression being made by his still quite inexperienced young horse, who won the Grand Prix and finished third in the Freestyle at Olympia, London (GBR) just before Christmas. “He only did a few Grand Prix competitions before qualifying for Tryon (FEI World Equestrian Games) this year – it was a bit early for him in his career, so after that I gave him a long rest and then restarted at Olympia. That wasn’t the most easy show for him to come back to, and I was not so happy with how he felt… he had been going so well at home. But then I bring him to another show here in Mechelen ten days later and he is super – I mean super!” said the delighted Dutchman.

“Here he was much more focused, not like at Olympia where I had to survive it a little! Today I could ride to the point, and he was really trying for me!” — Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED)

Caetano and her adorable grey Lusitano, Coroado, set a whole new standard when posting 80.160 when fifth last to go of the 15 starters. At the fourth leg of the Western European League in Madrid (ESP) last month they scored 77.655 for third place, but things didn’t go to plan at Olympia where their mark of 73.900 left them well down the line. There’s something really special about this pair who have sprung to prominence recently, however, and they both looked radiant after showing the most fabulous passage and piaffe, and a great sense of harmony, during their wonderful performance.

Langehanenberg bettered that when scoring 82.880 despite testing the nerve of Judge at C, Belgium’s Jacques van Daele, as she powered to a very late halt. And although Reynolds and her 16-year-old gelding didn’t challenge for the top spot, their new routine to a wonderful compilation of traditional Irish music had the spectators’ toes tapping and put 78.570 on the board.

Nilshagen’s chances were hampered when her horse dropped the contact early in their test, but with a degree of difficulty of 10 and the stallion’s breathtaking extended canter, they clawed it back to put 80.090 on the board. So Minderhoud was chasing Langehanenberg’s leading score as he set off, last to go, and Dream Boy didn’t let him down. He’s a horse that’s growing in confidence all the time, and after winning the Grand Prix he was always the one to beat.

“He’s a very sweet horse, and because he’s seen all the things that approved stallions see at a young age, he’s not really spooky or anything. In the beginning I felt he went into himself a bit in big arenas, but yesterday and today he was much happier.” — Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED)

With just three more qualifiers to go in the Western European League, the next port of call is on Minderhoud’s home turf in the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam at the end of January. Having moved up to joint-third on the leaderboard, he’s looking forward to getting to the 2019 Final next April in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is where he won the coveted FEI Dressage World Cup™ title two years ago.

Watch highlights here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Dream Win for Hans Peter Minderhoud

Olympia, The London International Horse Show opened its door for the first day of the week-long event. The UK’s largest indoor Show saw many of the world’s best Dressage riders out in full force for the newly formatted FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound, which saw Hans Peter Minderhoud clinch the victory with a score of 73.895%. Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin finished close behind on a score of 73.026% to take second.

The Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National got off to a flying start as Olive Nicholls, daughter of renowned racing trainer Paul Nicholls, stormed her way to victory, taking the first win of the week. The Grand Hall also applauded a welcomed-return of La Garde Républicaine for the premier evening of the Show, as they displayed their impressive routine to the evening’s spectators.

Hans Peter Minderhoud Takes First Victory of Newly Formatted FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix

Dutchman Hans Peter Minderhoud and the young stallion Glock’s Dream Boy NOP stole the first win of the show, The FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound, at Olympia, The London International Horse Show. It was also the first win at Olympia for Minderhoud who has been second and third on previous occasions.

The combination headed off British golden girl Charlotte Dujardin, who for the show was paired with Hawtins Delicato, the team horse of her mentor Carl Hester. Dujardin and ‘Del’ had the debatable honour of being the first in the class, meaning they were the first ever combination to ride the newly designed and shortened grand prix being piloted at the show, as part of the FEI Dressage World Cup package. The revamp also included an immediate after test dismount and spotlight interview in the arena before the five judges’ scores were revealed.

“It was all very new and different to what we have been used to, but for me it was a really cool moment when the scores came up and I was very happy,” said Minderhoud.

Dujardin was also pleased with her ride and place, especially as she was the test guinea pig.

“I didn’t have the chance to watch anyone ride through the test and Del has never been to an indoor show like this, so I was pleased with him,” said Dujardin.

“Getting off the horse in the arena and having an interview straight away took me back a bit but it was great to have the support of the crowd.”

German debutant Frederic Wandres and the chestnut gelding Duke of Britain claimed an impressive third place on their first visit to the show. The pair produced a fluent test which could have scored higher but for mistakes in the two tempi changes.

“When I saw the arena for the first time, I thought it was just breath-taking,” said Wandres who enjoyed the new test. “I have never been to a show like this before and it is the nicest show I have ever been to.”

“I was nervous about riding the new test, but for me it rode well and my horse coped with the movements and felt really good.”

British judge Stephen Clarke commented: “Yes, the test was quite difficult as the movements come up quickly and are short – it is undoubtedly easier to judge than ride. But the evening as a whole was great; there was a good crowd and you could really feel the interest and enthusiasm – it was a good evening for the sport.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.olympiahorseshow.com or by telephone on 0844 995 0995.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

Masterful Minderhoud Wins Last Leg in ’s-Hertogenbosch

Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt. (Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI)

’s-Hertogenbosch (NED), 11 March 2017 – Reigning champion, Hans Peter Minderhoud, produced a sensational personal-best performance with Glock’s Flirt to win the ninth and last qualifying leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016/2017 Western European League on home turf in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. Presenting a sparkling new floorplan, the pair broke the extraordinary run of Germany’s Isabell Werth who had been unbeatable on her previous five outings in this hotly-contested series, but who had to settle for runner-up spot with Emilio. In third was Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl for whom impending motherhood seems to have simply raised her level of excellence as she steered Zaire-E through a fabulous test.

And on a day when those last few qualifying slots for the Final in Omaha, Nebraska (USA) at the end of the month were decided, 2010 World Cup champion Edward Gal booked his ticket when fourth with Glock’s Voice. He lies ninth on the Western European League table from which the top nine make the cut.

Von Bredow-Werndl’s (31) inspired ride, showing lightness, elegance and great connectivity, put a score of 80.165 on the board with just three more of the 15 starters left to go. But when Werth (47) posted 83.300 despite two mistakes from her Gothenburg winner Emilio, it seemed she just might make it a magnificent six successes from six starts this season. Second-last into the arena, Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K had an unsettled start to finish sixth in the final analysis. But last to go, Minderhoud (43) and Glock’s Flirt just seemed to be in their element as clean, soft movements and the easiest of transitions earned the winning mark of 84.890. The knowledgeable crowd in the Brabanthalle at ’s-Hertogenbosch recognised the winning ride, giving the Dutch pair a standing ovation even before the score was announced.

“This was my highest ever Freestyle mark, and my best test ever too!” said the delighted Dutchman who posted 82.357 to claim the 2016 FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in Gothenburg (SWE) 12 months ago. This new floorplan was specifically designed for Flirt, “and I was waiting all day to show it off!” the double-Olympian said. “The combination of movements really make this test just right for him – before we used a Freestyle belonging to Glock’s Tango, but this is so much better!” said the rider who is now aiming for a double of FEI World Cup™ Dressage titles in three weeks’ time.

He has no illusions about what lies ahead of him, but this result has given him a big confidence-boost. “It’s going to be a really tough job to win again because the line-up is even better than last year, but my horse is in great form, and I’m definitely going for a place on the podium!” Minderhoud said.

Detailed result here

Quotes:

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st): “When we put this floorplan together I showed a video to some friends and everyone said it looked really good. Today Flirt felt great in the warm-up and I knew I was in with a chance when I was the last to go and Isabell had made some mistakes!”

Isabell Werth GER (2nd): “I was really happy with my horse; he was in super shape especially in the Grand Prix. Unfortunately in the Freestyle there were mistakes in the extended trot and the two tempis but the horse was always focused. Emilio still needs to grow up a bit with the Freestyle but I was very pleased with him.”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER (3rd): “This was the best feeling – I really enjoyed this today. For sure I will compete in Omaha with Unee BB but after that I will be taking a small break because I’m having a baby!”

Mariette Sanders van Gansewinkel (NED) President of Ground Jury: “We had excellent sport and this was really great entertainment today. Many of the judges said they had goose-bumps when Hans Peter was doing his test!”

Don’t miss a hoofbeat! Watch it all LIVE on www.feitv.org.

Social media: #FEIWorldCupWEL #RidetoOmaha #FEIWorldCupFinals #TwoHearts

Rider biographies: view online and download from www.fei.org/bios.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

At ’s-Hertogenbosch:

Denise van der Net
Press Officer
info@denisevandernet.nl
+31 627 031 674

Minderhoud Wins the Coveted Reem Acra Title at Last

(L to R) Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (2nd), The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud (1st) and Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (3rd). (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Gothenburg (SWE), 27 March 2016 – The Netherlands’ Hans-Peter Minderhoud fulfilled a life-time ambition when clinching the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 title, riding Glock’s Flirt to claim the trophy and €50,000 winner’s cheque in Gothenburg (SWE).

The 42-year-old team gold and individual bronze medallist at last year’s FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) gave it his all to earn a mark of 82.357 in front of a packed crowd in the Scandinavium Arena.

He had wanted this win for a very long time. “It was really special for me,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “This was my sixth final and I’ve never been on the podium, although I was twice really close. I started off as a groom and it was always my dream to win it, so it’s very emotional. My horse is almost like a dog; you can take him everywhere. He’s very sweet and always tries for you; he’s a really good boy!”

The win came at the expense of home crowd favourite Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, who finished just 0.928 per cent adrift with Don Auriello in second place. Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the stallion Unee B, third-place finishers in Las Vegas (USA) 12 months ago, once again stood on the same step on the podium this time around.

Minderhoud posted the 13th Dutch victory in the history of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series which this year celebrates its 31st Final. The last time the title went to Holland it was Minderhoud’s life-partner, Edward Gal, who claimed the honours with the much-loved stallion Totilas on home ground in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2010.

Great buzz

The spectators at Gothenburg Horse Show always play their part in every competition, creating a great buzz as they get involved with everything going on in the arena. And the intensity of it all certainly affected American rider Gunter Seidel’s gelding, Zero Gravity, who looked ready to explode with the excitement of it all when fourth to go. But the three-time Olympian produced a masterful ride to finish his test with the lovely 12-year-old gelding who still managed to demonstrate his huge potential.

This pair was followed by the only other US representatives, Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo, who really set the arena alight with a performance that oozed energy and fun. The big bay stallion has exactly the same attitude as his rider who smiled her way through the whole test that was set against a rousing musical score. And Jorst’s determination to complete on exactly the final note led to a sharp intake of breath, because she marched up the centre line and didn’t stop until her music finished, which left her right up against the arena boards and staring directly into the eyes of Ground Jury President, Sweden’s Gustav Svalling.

Her mark of 73.232 took the lead only to be overtaken by 73.589 from Australia’s Lyndal Oatley and Sandro Boy. But it was the last rider to go before the judging break, Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard with Jojo Az, who held the lead at the halfway stage as they strutted their stuff to post 76.250 to the delight of the crowd.

Immediately relegated

They were immediately relegated to runner-up spot when the action resumed, however, by Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K who went out in front on a score of 77.339. It has been an historic week for the sport of dressage in Ireland, as this is the first time the country has been represented at an FEI World Cup™ Final so the 34-year-old has been creating quite a stir. But Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier posted 78.411 with D’Agostino FRH when next to go and then, with just five of the 18 starters left to take their turn, Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven reset the parameters when producing the first result over 80 percent.

After rolling out another technically brilliant performance that included super-tough transitions with her 14-year-old gelding, Don Auriello, she put 81.429 on the scoreboard and that really piled the pressure on the four remaining riders. Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl challenged strongly when posting a mark of 80.350 with Unee BB despite a couple of errors, but, third-last into the ring, Hans Peter Minderhoud made no mistakes with his 15-year-old gelding, Glock’s Flirt, to go well out in front on 82.357 which would prove unbeatable despite a valiant last to go effort from host-nation heroes Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic.

Emotional

Minderhoud, who also won Friday’s Grand Prix, admitted afterwards that he felt the pressure. “It’s been two long days since the Grand Prix. Normally I’m not really nervous but today I thought I really want this! So I’m really happy that I won!” he said.

He talked about Glock’s Flirt. “I have him now for two years and when I got him he was a nice Grand Prix horse but I didn’t expect him to be a winner but he’s just getting better and better. He’s such a great honest horse in the ring; he doesn’t want to make any mistakes – you really feel that he gives just everything to you! I’ve also been riding around with not-so-easy mares and not-so-easy stallions, so it’s so much fun to have a horse like him. You can really rely on him, and that’s an amazing feeling.”

Second-placed Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven said she made an early mistake but that the Gothenburg experience is always special. “The feeling to get into the arena with all of that great audience here is indescribable; it’s a very special moment, and I think Don Auriello felt great with that today; he had a lot of power in him but was still very controlled. It was a pity about my first halt; it was the only weak point I think; otherwise I was very happy with him!”

Wide-open contest

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl said the competition was a wide-open contest but that Minderhoud’s victory was well-deserved. “Any one of us could have won today but you were the one who had no mistakes!” she said to him. “You were the best one today so you are the right winner! I had two very big mistakes, and that was a shame because you don’t want to make a mistake at the Final but being third, even so, is great. It’s my third final and my second time on the podium.”

Ground Jury President, Sweden’s Gustav Svalling, talked about the new Reem Acra winning partnership. “This horse (Glock’s Flirt) is a very obedient horse, but it is also the combination between the rider and horse – you can see they really like each other,” he said. And he laughed when asked about his close encounter with Charlotte Jorst’s big stallion earlier in the day. “I really liked that American, even if she came a bit close to me! Her music and everything about her performance – it was a great show!” he said.

Minderhoud found himself alone in Gothenburg tonight because Edward Gal and his trainer Nicole Werner left the show after the prize-giving. But he was planning to celebrate with some of the Dutch jumping riders instead, and when asked how it would be to bring home the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ title, which Gal claimed six years ago, he smiled and said, “I think it will be very good for our relationship that I have also won it now!”

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

All 18 horses that started in Friday’s Grand Prix competed once again in the Freestyle at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Competitors started in reverse order of merit based on their Grand Prix results.

This was the 31st FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final, and Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt produced the 13th Dutch victory in the history of the series.

The 42-year-old rider’s best performance at a previous Final was fourth place with Exquis Nadine in Las Vegas (USA) in 2009.

The last Dutch winner of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage title was Edward Gal with Totilas at ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) IN 2010.

Minderhoud’s winning horse, Glock’s Flirt, is a 15-year-old Swiss-bred gelding by Florestan.

The Ground Jury were located in the following positions: At K, Susan Hoevenaars AUS; At E, Irina Maknami RUS; At H, Mariette Sander van Gansewinkel NED; At C, Gustav Svalling SWE; At M, Susanne Baarup DEN; At B, Evi Eisenhardt GER: At F, Anne Gribbons USA.

Quotes:

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st), talking about his plans over the coming months: “Now we start the outdoor season with Glock’s Johnson; he had almost all winter off. Flirty (Glock’s Flirt) gets a break then he goes for the qualifier in Rotterdam.”

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st), talking about his former ride, the mare Nadine, and comparing her to Glock’s Flirt: “She was very special for me and I still have her. She is 21 now and out in the field. With her it was always trickier, she was a real mare. Flirt is more easy!”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER (3rd), talking about her season before the Final: “I had many third places coming up to the Final. I had a very good season and I also feel he’s (Unee BB) improved a lot; we have more power and the piaffe/passage work has improved. He’s never been in better shape before so now we go to work so we don’t make many more mistakes in the outdoor season!”

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven SWE (2nd), talking about her horse Don Auriello: “He loves attention; he wants to be centre of attention all the time. It’s an incredible feeling to ride a horse that loves an audience and a big atmosphere!”

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Gothenburg:

Lotta Amnestål
Press Officer
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se
+46 709 79 56 35

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 787 506 142

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Minderhoud Scores First-Ever Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Victory

An emotional Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) thanks his horse Glock’s Flirt after scoring victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Finals at Gothenburg (SWE).

Gothenburg (SWE), 27 March 2016 – Hans-Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands scored his first ever victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final, riding Glock’s Flirt to claim the trophy and €50,000 winner’s cheque in Gothenburg (SWE).

The 42-year-old, team gold and individual bronze medallist at last year’s FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER), gave it his all to earn a mark of 82.357 in front of a packed crowd in the Scandinavium Arena.

“It was really special for me,” Minderhoud said afterwards. “This was my sixth final and I’ve never been on the podium, although I was twice really close. I started off as a groom and it was always my dream to win it so it’s very emotional. The horse is almost like a dog; you can take him everywhere. He’s very sweet and always tries for you; he’s a really good boy!”

The win came at the expense of home crowd favourite Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, who finished just 0.928 per cent adrift with Don Auriello. Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the stallion Unee B, third-place finishers in Las Vegas (USA) 12 months ago, once again stood on the third step on the podium.

Minderhoud’s victory was the 13th Dutch win in the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals, with Hans Peter’s partner Edward Gal winning the title six years ago on home ground in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. “It’s good we have one each now!” Minderhoud joked.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final – 1, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud), NED, 82.357 per cent; 2, Don Auriello (Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven), SWE, 81.429; 3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl), GER, 80.464.

FEI Media Contact:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 787 506 142

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Minderhoud Wins Grand Prix and Sets Sights on Reem Acra 2016 Title

The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt won the Grand Prix as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final got underway at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Gothenburg (SWE), 25 March 2016 – The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud steered Glock’s Flirt to victory in the Grand Prix as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final got underway at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. But the host nation contenders were hot on the heels of the Dutch duo, with Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello just 0.371 percentage points behind in second place and Patrik Kittel just 0.1 point further adrift in third with the veteran Watermill Scandic.

Minderhoud knows he will have to do it all again in Sunday’s Freestyle if, at his sixth attempt, he is to take the coveted Reem Acra title at last. But it will be no easy task for the 42-year-old Dutchman and his 15-year-old gelding because, as results clearly demonstrated, there is very little separating the leading combinations in the 18-strong field.

Great start

Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Jojo AZ got the competition off to a great start with a test that earned 73.343, but it was Vilhelmson-Silfven who set the real target when, third to go with Don Auriello, she posted 76.500 which really put it up to the rest of them. The six-time Olympian and her 14-year-old gelding presented a picture of elegance as always, Don Auriello showing off his trademark extended trot and elevated passage and piaffe to great effect.

It wasn’t until Jessica von Bredow-Wendl and Unee BB, third-place finishers at the 2015 Reem Acra Final in Las Vegas, USA set off just after the judging break that anyone came close to that, scoring 75.257 when tenth to go. But from the moment Minderhoud entered the arena with Glock’s Flirt it was clear they were going to produce something special. With calm concentration the chestnut horse set about his work to reset the target score at 76.871 to take command with just three more to follow them into the arena. The show was far from over yet, however.

Few better

When it comes to showmen there are few better than Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, and although the crowd went wild with excitement as they arrived into the arena when last to go, the 39-year-old rider and his 17-year-old horse just took it all in their stride to post 76.400 which would slot them neatly into third place.

Kittel said afterwards that he wasn’t in the least bit bothered by the noise of the crowd, despite a little spook from Scandic before they began their test. “I love it, actually!” he said. “The excitement just makes for good sport – when people are happy that is great and we want the spectators to clap us – we are happy when they clap! But when I ride the test they stop and it is quiet again and I love that too. I would rather have all the noise and excitement because it makes for a great competition. And of course we have a top audience here and Gothenburg is a great show!” he added.

Super-happy

Second-placed Vilhelmson-Silfven said she was “super-happy” with Don Auriello but admitted that she had “a shaky start! He (Don Auriello) wouldn’t stand still in the halt and then he just cantered off so that gives you something to think about! Am I preparing wrong or something? I was scared at first that I was not where I should be at the beginning but it all came together in the end,” she explained.

Kittel talked about Watermill Scandic who certainly belies his age and who continues to be as enthusiastic as ever. “He is in really good shape at 17 years old. I wonder will he quiet down but he loves his work and he was like this when he was 7 years old so I don’t think he will never change. I love him for that! I ride him a week to 10 days before a competition but he is like a professor, he knows what he has to do, I don’t have to tell him – he is really clever. He has done so many grand prix events in his life and it is a great feeling when he is like that.  He has always been like that since he was born!” the Swedish athlete pointed out.

Minderhoud, meanwhile, was reflecting this evening on his performance and on the possibility of making the Reem Acra title his own. “I know if I want to win then here is my chance,” he said. “I was very happy with my ride today; my horse was very good super concentrated. We had a small thing with a pirouette but I rode him as I wanted to ride him. However, Sunday is a new day and with the Swedish in the form they showed today then I have to give everything to make it happen!” he added.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final began at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg where The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud came out on top with Glock’s Flirt.

A total of 18 horse-and-rider combinations competed, and Swedish riders Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (Don Auriell) and Patrik Kittel (Watermill Scandic) finished second and third.

The panel of judges consisted of: At K, Irina Maknami (RUS); At E, Mariette Sanders van Gansewinkel (NED); At H, Susan Hoevenaars (AUS); At C, Susanne Baarup (DEN); At M, Evi Eisenhardt (GER); At B, Anne Gribbons (USA); At F, Gustav Svalling (SWE).

Hans Peter Minderhoud’s winning score was 76.871, while only 0.1 percentage points separated Vilhelmson-Silfven (76.500) and Kittel (76.400) in second and third places.

Hans Peter Minderhoud has competed at six European Championships including the 2015 edition in Aachen, Germany last summer where, partnering Glock’s Johnson, he helped The Netherlands claim team gold.

The Dutch rider has also competed at three FEI World Equestrian Games and the Olympic Games in Hong Kong in 2008.

This is Minderhoud’s sixth FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final. He finished fifth at the 2015 edition in Las Vegas, USA with Glock’s Flirt.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 title will be decided by Sunday’s Freestyle competition.

Quotes:

Susanne Baarup DEN (Judge at C): “It was a fantastic competition today. The atmosphere in the arena was very tense and the audience was very enthusiastic. On paper it was an open competition, and the results show the riders are very, very close in the top. We had eight riders in the prize giving with scores between 73.3 and 76.8.  Sunday in the Freestyle will be open again, and very exciting!”

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st): “My horse (Glock’s Flirt) is in great form and feels good in the arena here. He’s a hard worker and he doesn’t want to make mistakes – I’m really looking forward to the Freestyle on Sunday now!”

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Gothenburg:

Lotta Amnestål
Press Officer
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se
+46 709 79 56 35

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 787 506 142

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Minderhoud and van Silfhout Make It a Dutch One-Two at Den Bosch

Hans Peter Minderhoud steered Glock’s Flirt to a stylish victory at the ninth and last qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League on home ground at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), 12 March 2016 – Hans Peter Minderhoud steered Glock’s Flirt to a stylish victory at the ninth qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League on home ground at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. And there was even more for the Dutch to celebrate when Diederik van Silfhout finished a close second with a lovely performance from Arlando NOP.

Spanish veteran and reigning European individual bronze medallist, Beatriz Ferrer-Salt, lined up third with Delgado while Belgium’s Fanny Verliefden made a big impression with the mare, Annarico, to fill fourth spot. A total of 14 horse-and-rider combinations from eight nations lined out in this last qualifier ahead of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final which begins in Gothenburg, Sweden in just 12 days’ time and, for some, there was a lot hanging in the balance. But Minderhoud has enjoyed a great season and today’s result sent him rocketing back up to second place on the Western European League table which has concluded with Germany’s Isabell Werth taking pole position after another winter of great sport.

Led the way

It was Spain’s Morgan Barbancon Mestre who led the way going into the judging break after posting 73.550 with Girasol, but as soon as the action resumed the pair were overtaken by Australia’s Kristy Oatley and du Soleil who scored 75.900. Then The Netherlands’ Marlies van Baalen really got the home crowd going with an exciting routine set to a Big Band musical score, and when she drew to a halt with the big-moving 12-year-old gelding Ratzinger, who seemed to smile his way through his test, a mark of 76.375 went up on the board to put them out in front.

With five left to go, however, it was van Silfhout and Arlando who were next into the arena, and the quality, fluidity, rhythm and energy of their work saw them earn 80.150 which really raised the bar. The pair who finished ninth individually at the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) last summer and who were members of the bronze-medal-winning Dutch side at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA) in 2014 looked super-confident and secure, the 11-year-old stallion showing tremendous athleticism in his piaffe/passage work in particular.

Ferrer-Salat, who produced back-to-back wins with Delgado at Lyon (FRA) in October and Stuttgart (GER) in November, couldn’t overtake them when posting 79.325 for a test that was calm and beautifully executed but which lacked a little sparkle. Then, third-last into the ring, Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard showed a real return to form with the charming Jojo Az whose recent performances didn’t seem to reflect his normal enthusiasm, but who worked in complete harmony with his rider, and with a zip in his step, for a strong score of 76.300. The Danish rider’s decision to halve the time spent warming up her 13-year-old Hungarian-bred gelding appeared to pay off handsomely.

Uplifting

Verliefden’s test was also uplifting, her 11-year-old bay mare’s big, open action producing extravagant half-pass and great passage and piaffe. This is a pair just brimming with promise for the future, but as the Belgian put a handsome 77.950 on the board it was van Silfhout who still held the lead with the only mark of 80 percent. Last man in, however, Minderhoud would put paid to that.

Only 0.4 points separated him from Spain’s Ferrer-Salat in yesterday’s Grand Prix, but he enjoyed a bigger winning margin over his fellow-countryman with a Freestyle that oozed class and confidence. The chestnut stallion cruised through his trot work, showed enormous power in piaffe and breezed through his tempi-changes for a winning score of 81.775 and maximum qualifying points. He’s really looking forward to the Reem Acra 2016 Final now.

“It’s happening a month earlier than normal so that’s great because it’s close to the end of the season and my horse is feeling really good!” Minderhoud said. “He’s never difficult, he’s a really hard-working boy, he’s a sweet boy, and I felt we did two really super tests here,” he added.

At Amsterdam in January, where Germany’s Isabell Werth reigned supreme, he had to settle for fifth place while van Silfhout lined up third with Arlando, and coming into the arena he knew that his compatriot had produced another great test to take the lead. “I realised we would have to be really good to beat him, but my horse was really with me; he’s been working great at home, so we just had to go in there and do our job!” Minderhoud pointed out.

Delighted

Van Silfhout was delighted with his second-place finish, and with his horse, Arlando. “He gave me a great feeling all through the test and we had no mistakes. The passage and piaffe were really amazing and the canter work was much better than yesterday (in the Grand Prix). Arlando is a real worker; he’s always happy to do his work! In the yard I always look after him the first; he likes that and he’s very happy right now!

“It was really nice to be here. I wanted to see how his form was, how his body is, how he would be in the ring, and how he reacts to the atmosphere. I wanted to know how prepared we are because my target of course is the Olympic Games,” van Silfhout said. This Dutch rider will not compete at the Reem Acra 2016 Final, however.

“We competed in Amsterdam and Den Bosch, but I made the decision not to go to the Final because I want to keep my horse for the Olympic selection at Rotterdam and the Dutch Championships at Ermelo,” he explained.

In contrast, Minderhoud is completely focused on travelling to the Final with Flirt who also competed at the Reem Acra 2015 Final in Las Vegas (USA) where the pair finished fifth. And he will be joined at the Swedish venue by his partner and 2010 Reem Acra champion Edward Gal who missed ‘s-Hertogenbosch this weekend after taking a fall from a young horse at home during the week. “It’s three days later now and Edward is still sore and stiff but there are no broken bones, so he’s definitely going to be in Gothenburg!” Minderhoud said.

For further information on the ninth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, visit www.indoorbrabant.com or contact Press Officer Denise van der Net, info@denisevandernet.nl, +31 6270 31674.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) from 23 to 28 March. For details of the Swedish, fixture visit www.gothenburghorseshow.com or contact Press Office Mayvor Thorin, mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se, +46 705 828420.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

The Brabanthallen in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) was the venue for today’s ninth and last qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League.

Dutch riders Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Flirt) and Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando NOP) claimed the top two places.

14 riders representing 8 nations – Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and Turkey – lined out in today’s Freestyle competition.

Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt also won yesterday’s Grand Prix in which reigning European bronze medallist, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat from Spain, was runner-up with Delgado.

The panel of judges consisted of: At E – Peter Holler GER; At H, Susanne Baarup DEN; At C, Mariette Sanders van Gansewinkel NED; At M, Susan Hoevenaars AUS; At B, Adriaan F. Hamoen NED.

Today’s result has decided the nine Western European League riders who have qualified for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden from 23 to 28 March.

Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat has finished fifth and The Netherlands’ Diederik van Silfhout has finished equal-eighth in the final Western European League standings but neither will travel to Gothenburg for the Reem Acra Final 2016.

Quotes:

Diederik van Silfhout NED (2nd), talking about his plans for Arlando over the coming months: “Now he will have a nice break for a few weeks and then he will just do some training with maybe a small show a few weeks before Rotterdam. The Dutch championships take place three weeks before the Olympic Games.”

Diederik van Silfhout NED (2nd), when asked about the battle for places on the Dutch team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: “First (on the list) is Edward (Gal), then Hans Peter (Minderhoud) and then Arlando and me!”

FEI YouTube here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At ‘s-Hertogenbosch:

Denise van der Net
Press Officer
info@denisevandernet.nl
+31 6270 31674

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Minderhoud and Flirt Win Reem Acra Round in Stockholm

Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt. (FEI/Roland Thunholm)

Stockholm (SWE), 29 November 2015 – The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud reigned supreme in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League qualifier at Stockholm in Sweden today. The 42-year-old rider who, with Glock’s Johnson, claimed team gold and individual bronze at this summer’s FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER), steered another of his powerful string, the 14-year-old Glock’s Flirt, to victory ahead of host nation stars Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic. And it was a great day for the Dutch when Adelinde Cornelissen lined up third with the Jerich Parzival who won back-to-back Reem Acra titles in 2011 and 2012.

There was a strong Swedish presence, with seven of the 15 starters representing the host nation. And last year’s Swedish winner, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, lined out with Paridon Magi this time around to finish fifth just behind Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Jojo Az.

Led the way

It was Kirk Thinggaard who led the way into the closing stages after posting 76.675 with the dark bay 12-year-old horse which has bounced her up to the top level of the sport over the last two seasons. But then Cornelissen and Parzival raised the game with a performance that earned 78.775 to go out in front.

The 36-year-old Dutch rider said afterwards that she had “mixed feelings” about her result. “I’m happy that Parzival was here and going well. He was great in the warm-up but he felt a bit tired in the arena. We have not been competing for a long time, so we need to find a suitable routine again for both of us,” said the rider whose career highlights with this wonderful chestnut go all the way back to team and individual gold at the FEI European Championships in Windsor, Great Britain in 2009 and include team gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky, USA the following year and individual silver and team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cornelissen’s compatriot, Minderhoud, was next into the ring and from the outset looked set to change the leaderboard rankings once more. Glock’s Flirt was completely in the zone, concentrated and responsive, and as Minderhoud said afterwards, “He had no real weak points in his test today, from the beginning to the end he was completely with me, nicely supple and super on the aids.” He just had one little bobble. “I had a great feeling; he was really trying for me but I had a small mistake in the one-tempis. I re-did them really well though, and the rest of the test was really good,” he said.

Two more contenders

The win was not completely assured, however, as there were still two more contenders left to run, and the first of these was Kittel who can never be discounted. The 39-year-old rider’s record with 16-year-old stallion Watermill Scandic includes individual bronze at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam (NED) in 2011 and, four years later, the Dutch-bred horse continues to drum out the incredibly rhythmic passage and piaffe that is his trademark.

“I was really happy, although he was a bit hot in the canter!” Kittel said afterwards. “The beginning of the test was really good, then I had a rider mistake in the canter zig-zag, but at 16 years old he feels better than he did when he was 10, which is great! And he will still be in the game next year too, and in the Final in Gothenburg if we qualify,” the Swedish rider pointed out. His mark of 79.100 slotted him in behind Minderhoud and ahead of Cornelissen, and that was where he would stay when, last to go, Kittel’s wife, Australian athlete Lyndal Oatley, steered Sandro Boy into sixth place on a score of 75.425.

Eager to do well

Talking about his win this evening, Minderhoud admitted that he was “very eager to do well. Last year here in Stockholm I won the Grand Prix, but I had to settle for second place in the Freestyle,” he pointed out. However, he felt victory was well within reach this time around. “I knew it was possible because we won yesterday; however, yesterday the scores were very close so I couldn’t be sure, especially with Adelinde and Parzival and Patrik with Scandic in such good form.” He said he had been encouraged by the sight of the winner’s prize. “When I saw the orange car in the corner of the arena I thought, ‘Hey, a Dutch person should win that!’ and this is the first car I’ve ever won!” the delighted Dutchman said.

He has now moved up to the top of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League leaderboard with 54 points to date, and plans to continue campaigning throughout the remainder of the series. “I will go to Salzburg with Romanov and probably bring Flirt to London and Johnson to Amsterdam and den Bosch,” he said this evening.

And reflecting on a very successful afternoon, he concluded, “This is my first qualifier win with Flirt, having competed him for one and half years. He is very easy to travel with, so I can take him everywhere. Flirt is getting closer all the time; who is my best horse is really depending on the form of the day. It’s really a luxury having three top horses,” he added.

For further information on the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League series at Stockholm (SWE), visit www.swedenhorseshow.se or contact Press Officer Lotta Amnestal, LottaAmnestal@ridsport.se, +46 709 7956 35.

The fifth leg will take place in Salzburg, Austria next Sunday, 6 December 2015. For details of the Austrian fixture, go to http://amadeushorseindoors.at/ or contact Press Officer Ruth Büchlmann, rb@uppercut.at +43 676 844180222.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Stockholm in Sweden presented the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League today.

This was the second edition of the Swedish International Horse Show at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt won the competition with a score of 80.950 ahead of Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC on a mark of 79.100.

The Ground Jury consisted of: At B, Ghislain Fouarge NED; At M, Susanne Baarup DEN; At C, Gustav Svalling SWE; At H, Isabelle Judet FRA; At E, Magnus Ringmark SWE.

20 riders from 10 nations lined out in yesterday’s first competition, the Grand Prix which was also won by Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt.

Swedish rider Kristian von Krusenstierna retired the 17-year-old gelding, Biggles, from top-level competition at this year’s Swedish International Horse Show.

The popular Swedish fixture attracted a record crowd of 89,318 spectators this year.

There was a total audience of 6,005 for the Dressage Grand Prix and 6,786 spectators watched today’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Freestyle.

Quotes:

Ground Jury President Gustav Svalling SWE: “Parzival looked very nice for a tired horse! It meant a lot to have him here again. The class was a pleasure to judge with many good performances. Flirt has developed a lot since I last judged him. Tinne did a super job also.”

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st), talking about moving his competition yard earlier this year: “We moved in May; it’s only 20 minutes from where we were before, near Arnhem. In our first place we were renting but now Glock’s have built this beautiful stables and to be honest it’s just like a dream come true for us!”

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED (1st), when asked what he looks for in a horse: “In a new horse I look for a nice build, three good paces, or at least good walk & canter.”

FEI YouTube here: https://youtu.be/zCuoW1jbGHs.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Stockholm:

Lotta Amnestal
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se
+46 709 795 635

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Minderhoud Wins Reem Acra Opening Round in Odense

The Netherlands' Hans Peter Minderhoud and IPS Tango won the opening leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Odense, Denmark today. Photo: FEI/Ridehesten.com

Odense (DEN), 23 October 2011 – Dutch rider, Hans Peter Minderhoud, was in reflective mood after winning the opening leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Odense, Denmark this afternoon with the 11 year old chestnut stallion, IPS Tango.  He has his sights firmly set on a place at the series final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands next April along with a spot at the London Olympic Games, but he knows he has a lot of work to do to get there.

It is a very different story for the Dutchman who enjoyed such a long and fruitful partnership with the great mare, Exquis Nadine, who was retired during the FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam this summer.  He is now working with a horse that is something of a “work in progress” rather than super-experienced, but he was delighted with his result today.  “I’m not surprised that he won,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “My horse is in good shape, even yesterday when we finished third in the Grand Prix.  He is really coming along,” he added.

RESPONSIBLE
Runner-up was Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg with the aptly-named Responsible, while yesterday’s Grand Prix winner, Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven from Sweden, slotted into third with Don Auriello.  “He is only nine years old and in his first year competing in Grand Prix,” she said of her horse.  “Perhaps he was a bit tired compared with yesterday, but I am very pleased with third place,” the Swedish rider added.

Continue reading Minderhoud Wins Reem Acra Opening Round in Odense

Dressage Radio Episode 87 by Back on Track – Edward Gal & Hans Peter Minderhoud

Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud, half of the Dutch team, join Brett Parbery and Chris this week to review the season so far and discuss the year ahead for World Cup and European Championships. And Brett has some great advice too in our weekly tip. Take a listen right here…

Dressage Radio Episode 87 – Show Notes and Links:

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