The 8-year old Dutch warmblood stallion Capri Sonne Jr (by Rhodium) became the winner of the 2015 VHO Trophy, a special stallion competition class held during the annual KWPN Stallion Licensing in 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
The VHO Trophy competition is always a popular feature of the KWPN Stallion Show. Performing to a full house, five horses take turns in the ring and showcase their talent for a panel which included Mariette Sanders, Joyce Heuitink, and the well-known television presenter Britt Dekker this year. They were tasked with awarding artistic scores. The prize to be won was a mini-bike.
Dinja van Liere and the black stallion Capri Sonne JR won the trophy, performing to the sounds of “I’m Sexy and I know it.” The duo gave a small tour-level ride and afterwards judge Mariette Sanders commented, “Gosh Dinja, I really enjoyed it. You have your horse fantastically together: a nice walk and a trot with very abundant carriage. The changes could’ve been a bit better, but for the rest, I could only give you high scores!” Celebrity judge Britt Dekker added, “I thought it was fantastic. I heard ‘fireball’ in the music, and you shot forward precisely at that moment. I also thought it was very clever the way you rode around with a simple snaffle!”
With a score of 80.48% Van Liere was unbeatable, although Emmelie Scholtens and her expressive Apache (by UB40) followed closely with a score of 78.73%. Third place was for Patrick van de Meer on the very consistent Chagall (by Jazz x De Niro). Kirsten Beckers placed fourth with Grand Prix horse Westpoint and Mirelle van Kemenade on Dreamcatcher completed the top five.
Photo © Anniek van Schaik
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