Marieke van der Putten & Zantana RS2 N.O.P. crowned Dutch Champions

Marieke van der Putten, the overwhelming favorite at the Dutch Championships, fully confirmed her status by winning her first senior title this afternoon; a culmination for someone who was long in the shadow of Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud and other Adelinde Cornelissen.

At 44, Marieke van der Putten isn't the most well-known dutch rider to the general public, but she is nonetheless an experienced competitor. Riding for Edward Gal even before the Glock adventure began, she first made her mark in young horse classes, and what young horses they were... Vitalis, Boston STH, Che de Jeu, El Capone, Four Legends, Toto Jr, and Trafalgar. After leaving Nicole Werner, Hans Peter Minderhoud, and Edward Gal in 2017, she immediately joined Saskia Lemmens' RS2 Dressage stables, where she has enjoyed considerable success ever since, riding a string of horses that notably includes the spectacular stallion Jameson. Partnered with her top 12-year-old mare, Zantana RS2 N.O.P., Marieke van der Putten obtained nearly 78% on the Grand Prix of these Championships, ahead of the reigning Champion, Dinja van Liere riding Mauro Turfhorst, by nearly 2.5%, at 75.522%.

The forty-year-old and Zonik's daughter confirmed in the freestyle today with 87.840%, while silver went to Dinja van Liere and her young 9-year-old stallion also from Zonik at 82.875% and bronze to Marlies van Baalen & Habibi DVB thanks to a freestyle scored at 79.145%.

crédit photo : Bibi Bosch Fotografie