Good start of Stal Hendrix competition in Koningsbosch

12 May 2023

The conditions were not optimal due to all the rain, but that did not prevent a large number of young jumping talents from Limburg and the surrounding area from achieving good performances in the first leg of the Stal Hendrix competition. Jeroen Blomen scored the highest marks in the 4yo-class with the Nixon van ‘t Meulenhof mare Thiame Nafi VTS, while N’Abalia SMH (s.Edinburgh) under Kristian Houwen and Oxana by Diamant Z (s.Ogano Sitte) under Rob Heijligers won the five and six-year-olds class.

In this first leg of the Stal Hendrix competition, the quality of the four-year-olds in general was remarkable. Most horses were easy to ride and, despite the wet footing, were presented well to the judges Maurice van Ruisbroek and Patrick Vandereyt. However, a number of horses was still a bit too impressed by all the wetness.

Good rideability
With an 8.3 for jumping and an 8.0 for rideability, Thiame Nafi VTS (Nixon van ‘t Meulenhof x Fidji of Colors, breeder Pieter van Tulder) received the highest scores under owner Jeroen Blomen. “This is a complete showjumper that has a lot of scope. She is still a bit weak but jumps with a lot of overview, a good hind leg technique and she is easy to ride”, said the judges. With an 8.1 and an 8.4, the Baltic VDL son On And On MB (ds.Harley VDL, breeder Mirjam Bierings), who was selected for the KWPN stallion test last year, followed under Jan Liebregts in second place with the same total score as the winner. “This is also a complete showjumper. He canters and jumps with a lot of balance, and the technique and athletic scope were also positive.” Another future talent finished third: Ofarona L.D. (Echo van ‘t Spieveld x Numero Uno, breeder They Lemmers and C.R. Driessen) under Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer. This elite mare received an 8.2 and 8.1. “At the top of the standings, the quality was very close in this first leg. Ofarona L.D. is a very commercial horse. She is light-footed and has many possibilities.”

Proven talent
Kristian Houwen took the lead in the five-year-olds class with the fast, clear jumping Edinburgh daughter N’Abalia SMH (ds.Zirocco Blue VDL, breeder Minne Hovenga) with whom he has proven successful many times. This elite NMK mare made a good start in this first round of the Stal Hendrix competition. Another talented mare finished second: the careful California (s.Comme Prévu x Lycos) under Shane Dwan, followed by the scopey Douglas son Denver under Emile Tacken. Out of a total of 59 competitors, 29 remained completely clear in the two-phase course. The number two of last year’s Stal Hendrix competition, now started off with a victory in the six-year-olds. Under Rob Heijligers, the competitive Oxana by Diamant Z (Ogano Sitte x Diamant de Semilly, breeder Reynaert Vandendriessche) made an impression. Emile Tacken rode one of his self-bred future talents to second place in the six-year-olds class: the Grandorado TN son Marizona (ds.Indorado), with whom he already performed well in the Stal Hendrix competition last year. Micky van den Oetelaar followed with the Dominator Z son Dynamite Z (ds.Indorado, breeder Loek Sneijers) in third place and also got off to a good start in this competition.

Competition
The Stal Hendrix competition continues on the 26th of May in Sevenum. The renewed Jumping Peel&Maas show in Kessel will be the place for the third leg of this competition on the 31th of May. The last two shows are in Meerlo (8th of June) and Reuver (21st of June). The final of the Stal Hendrix competition will take place at Peelbergen Equestrian Centre on Friday the 21th of July.