Bart Veeze and the KWPN Roman Empire triumphed in the 5-year old consolation final of the 2025 World Championships for young dressage horses in Verden on Friday 8 August 2025.
Thirty horses competed in the "small final", three of them did not make the final ranking as one retired (Pitch Perfect) and two were eliminated (Jativa Torreluna and Zick Zack).
The KWPN bred Roman Empire (by Romanov x Sir Sinclair) became the high scorer of the day with 89,800%. Bred by Stal Zogland and owned by RomVermunt and Stephanie Scheerder, the dark bay was originally named Pavlov ZL but got a new name through the NRPS licensing. In Verden he scored 9.2 for trot, 8.2 for walk, 9 for canter and submission and 9.5 for perspective. The victory secured him a last minute ticket into the final.
”It was mega good,” said Roman Empire's rider Bart Veeze after the ride. ”It was already good in the qualifiers, but I think it was good that we were back at the start in the Small Final.” The last team selection in the Netherlands was two months ago, and they haven't been to a competition since. ”Somehow I needed the competition,” admits the professional trainer with a laugh. ”He can do everything, but I needed another test. But this horse was so focused, he really gives his all and I can rely on him 100 percent.”
Last year, Roman Empire's full brother Red Viper became World Champion of five-year-old dressage horses, also presented by Bart Veeze at the time. This year, Red Viper is in the final of the six-year-olds under Dinja van Liere and his brother Roman Empire is now in the five-year-olds. The dam of both is the Sir Sinclair daughter Zolena, and their sire is Blue Hors Romanov. Roman Empire was bred by Coen Kerbert and is owned by Stephanie Scheerder and Rom Vermunt. The individual scores for the winner ranged from 8.2 for walk to 9.5 for perspective. He also received a 9.2 for trot and a 9.0 for both canter and submission.
”Roman Empire is a very harmonious horse that suits Bart's good riding style,” said trainer Sebastian Heinze. ”They have known each other for two years and are making good progress together. The horse is characterised by its excellent rideability, consistency in its basic gaits and concentrated cooperation with the rider.”
”We are very happy that Because of You, a colourful chestnut mare, did so well among all the ‘handsome boys’,” said Beatrice Hoffrogge. The mare was even more relaxed in the Small Final than in the first test. ”This allowed her to shine even more and show what she is capable of.” What is the mare's highlight? ”Her character! She is in a great mood every day, always sweet, loves children and still has sporting ambition.”
The third place and last ticket for th e finals went to Swedish Jessica Lynn Thomas aboard the Hanoverian stallion So Special (by Secret x Bon Coeur), bred and owned by Pia Sophie Wahlers.
The last ticket to the final was earned by the Hanoverian Secret son So Special, ridden by Jessica Lynn Thomas, who came third in the Small Final. His score was 84.20 percent, comprising individual marks of 8.7 for trot, 7.8 for walk, 9 for canter, 7.9 for submission and 8.7 for general impression. The stallion had already made a name for himself in 2023 as reserve champion at the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf, and in 2024 he secured second place in the supporting programme for 4-year olds held at the World Championships in Ermelo. Now he is one of the World Championship finalists for five-year-olds.
The 15 best five-year-old dressage horses will compete in the World Championship final on Sunday at Verden's Horse24 Arena, where the world champion will be crowned in the afternoon.
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Related Links
Scores: 2025 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2025 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses