In The Netherlands the team selection trials for the 2025 World Championships for young dressage horses kicked off on 22 and 23 April 2025 with a first viewing and selection trial held at Zilfia's Hoeve in Houten.
More than 100 horses participated in the first viewing and were therefore split up in two groups over two days. The selectors are Johan Hamminga, Alex van Silfhout, and Janine van Twist.
It was pleasantly busy,’ said Johan Hamminga. "The facility in Houten is a nice central spot with a nice arena. There are also plenty of distractions, so we were able to judge well whether the horses already want to stay focused. That is important to know, because you will benefit from that later at the World Championships in Verden."
The horses performed the preliminary test. "For all age categories, that is a tough test, so only the better riders with the better horses got through the test more easily. As a selection committee we clearly discussed with each other beforehand that we want to select horses that do a test with a natural flow in the movement and a fine bridle contact. We selected strictly on those factors."
Twenty 5-year olds, nineteen 6-year olds and eighteen 7-year olds were selected for the first long list. Several Friesian horses have been selected for the next round although in the end, KWPN has never picked a Friesian on its team in the 26-year history of the Championships.
The long-listed horses are
5-year olds
- Hexagons Power Dutch (by Toto Jr.) - Thamar Zweistra
- Maine van de Demro Stables (by Teun 505) - Demi van Nuys
- Murk 540 (by Teun 505) - Franka Loos
- Oege van Cayenne Stables (by Yme fan Hyllested-Ostergaard) - Zoë Kuintjes
- Paso Doble Vz (by Glamourdale) - Robert-Jan de Visser
- Patheon LE (by Hermes) - Alvaro Rodriquez Siscar
- Perfect Ritme (by Lord Europe) - Kim Noordijk
- Peru Dos (by Kjento) - Zandra Birkeland
- Phantastique Vd (by Hermes) - Theo Hanzon
- Picasso Veluw (by Ferguson) - Laurens Van Lieren
- Pina Colada (by Governor) - Bart Veeze
- Pitch Perfect (by Le Formidable) - Vai Bruntink
- Plenza (by Kensington) - Daria Sushchinskaya
- Pole Position (by Toto Jr.) - Daniëlle Heijkoop
- Port-au-Prince (by Desperado) - Annemijn Boogaard
- Pride (by Secret) - Bart Veeze
- Puma Tc (by Liverpool Tc) - Robert-Jan de Visser
- Puy Du Fou (by Donier) - Sophie Welmers
- Pythagoras Wk (by All at Once) - Franka Loos
- Roman Empire (by Romanov) - Bart Veeze
6-year olds
- Black Beauty Stables Jary (v.Tiede 501) - Marell Hilberts
- Oberon (by Kensington) - Daria Sushchinskaya
- Obsession A (by Dream Boy) - Anke van Moer
- Obsession Taonga (by Vitalis) - Lara van Nek
- Ocean Pacific (by Ferdinand) - Kristy de Roo
- Odessa (by Millenium) - Vivian de la Roy
- Odi Murona (by Blue Hors Farrell) - Tessa Kole
- Ohio (by Kaiman) - Kirsten Brouwer
- Ohjee (by Toto Jr.) - John Tijssen
- Oliviera 3 (by Sezuan's Donnerhall) - Marina Welbers
- Olympia W (by Ebony) - Vai Bruntink
- Ons Geluk (by Blue Hors Zackerey) - Annabel Rootveld
- Orange (by Vitalis) - Kim Alting
- Ortisei (by Toto Jr.) - Julia Groenhart
- Osibisa (by Kardam's Whisper) - Mara de Vries
- Otis W (by Franklin) - Kim Noordijk
- O'Toto van de Wimphof (by Toto Jr.) - Diederik van Silfhout
- Ozstralis Cottinglee (by Sir Donnerhall) - Kirsten Brouwer
- Red Viper (by Romanov) - Dinja van Liere
7-year olds
- Everest (by Especial) - Charlotte Fry
- Hexagon's Nachtwacht (by Everdale) - Tessa Kole
- Hummer (by Elias 494) - Isabelle Vroomans
- Ilegro (vby Inclusive) - Charlotte Fry
- Most Wanted Nero (by Morricone) - Leonie Richter
- Naomyi de la Fazenda (by Secret) - Thalia Rockx
- Napoleon Sth (by I'm Perfect STH) - Nicky Snijder
- Nashville Sw (by Secret) - Femke de Laat
- Neal K (by Guardian S) - Kyra Klinkers
- Nejustico Kb (by Just Wimphof) - Renate Langeberg
- New Dreams (by Jerveaux) - Adelinde Cornelissen
- Newton M (by Just Wimphof) - Aniek de Laat
- Nijntje (by Valverde) - Lotte van Engelen
- Ninvasion (by Toto Jr.) - Moisés Jover Azuar
- Nitro L.E. (by Ferdinand) - Astrid Langeberg
- Nokia (by Just Wimphof) - Pim Candel
- Nordic Blue Hors (by Totilas) - Daniëlle Heijkoop
- Thomson Nirvana (by Painted Black) - Jessica Lynn Thomas
The second qualifier is on 20 - 21 May in Nunspeet (NED). On these days also wild card combinations who were unable to be at the first trial can present themselves. The third and final qualifier is on 10 June in Delft after which the team and reserves will be announced. In July there will be a training camp for the team pairs.
Photo ©
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2025 World Young Horse Championships