Irish Eventer Ella Boyle Returns to Pure Dressage with Hexagon's Kaygo and Pontiac VDT

Dressage

Ireland

Irish international eventing rider Ella Boyle has decided to step away from eventing and focus on pure dressage with two new horses in the barn: licensed stallions Hexagon's Kaygo and Pontiac VDT.

Hexagon's Kaygo

Hexagon's Kaygo is an 11-year old KWPN bred stallion by Capri Sonne JR out of Fila Manda (by Westpoint x Rubiquil). He is bred by the late Leunus van Lieren.

He was licensed at the 2018 KWPN Stallion licensing and scored 81 points in the 2018 KWPN autumn stallion performance test. He was trained to Grand Prix level by Thamar Zweistra, who rode him to a fourth place in the consolation class of the 4-year old challenge in Ermelo. They were fifth at the 2021 Pavo Cup Finals and seventh in the 2021 KWPN Stallion Competition Finals Alternative.

The pair made its international show debut in the 6-year old classes at the 2021 CDI Mariakalnok. Zweistra rode him once in the international small tour at the 2023 CDI Compiegne. As of 2025 Kaygo was shown by Dutch Roos Blaas at international junior riders' level at the CDI's in Tolbert and Exloo.

As a breeding stallion Kaygo has sired 60 KWPN registered foals so far of which two are licensed sons, i.e. Rocky Norel (out of an Expression dam) and Smoking Hot Q (out of a Le Vivaldi dam).

Pontiac VDT

Pontiac VDT is a 6-year old KWPN stallion by Total US out of Velvet V.D.T (by Ferro x Calypso I). He is bred by Ad van den Tillaart.

Owned by the breeder, Peter Wetzelaer and Leonie Bos, he was licensed at the 2023 KWPN Stallion Licensing and then sold at auction for 48,000 euro in the KWPN Select Sale to a syndicate including Paul Jansen, Quinty Vossers, Nikay van Duren and Diederik van Silfhout. Nikay later sold his share earlier.

Pontiac VDT with Gerrel Vink at the 2024 KWPN Licensing show

Pontiac VDT completed the 2023 KWPN Spring Stallion Performance Testing with 79 points. He has only bred very lightly with 3 offspring KWPN registered so far.

The chestnut was presented in public by Gerrel Vink and most recently has been in training with Diederik van Silfhout. Pontiac VDT is yet to make his show debut.

Return to Pure Dressage

Irish eventer Ella Boyle and her company Glebe Equine have acquired both licensed stallions. They were sourced by Gina Falcone Haden of Haute Horses, who recognized their quality and matched them to Ella.

"We’re very excited that we’ve recently acquired these two stallions and are starting an exciting new chapter.," said Boyle. "After much consideration, I’ve made the decision to step away from eventing, which has always been my main focus, and return to pure dressage."

Boyle is excited about her future with both stallions. "Over the coming months, the priority will be building strong partnerships, giving the horses time to settle into life in Ireland, and developing them correctly and thoughtfully," she said. "From there, our long-term goal is to aim towards representing Ireland at both national and international level."

Boyle began her international eventing career in 2016 and represented Ireland at the European Junior Riders Championships that same year. Since then she has competed a total of 8 different horses up to CCI 3* level until the spring of 2024. She is now dedicating her time to pure dressage and training primarily with Anne Marie Dunphy and Terry Boon. She has plans to also travel to England for additional training and development along the way.

"While the stallions may be available for stud in the future, this isn’t the focus right now," Ella explained. "Their education, progression, and partnership come first."