Awe-inspiring Red Viper world champion of five-year-old dressage horses

Press release

07-09-2024 by Ermelo YH

After a sunny conclusion Red Viper (Romanov x Sir Sinclair) was pronounced world champion of the five-year-old horses at the Longines FEI/WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo. Piloted by Bart Veeze, the KWPN stallion put a brilliant score of 93.8% on the scoreboard. The hotly contested silver medal was secured by Glamdale WP Nrw (Glamourdale x Millennium) and Stephanie Ahlert. Severucci HT (Secret x Rubinrot) and Jeanna Högberg took bronze.

After a sunny conclusion Red Viper (Romanov x Sir Sinclair) was pronounced world champion of the five-year-old horses at the Longines FEI/WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo. Piloted by Bart Veeze, the KWPN stallion put a brilliant score of 93.8% on the scoreboard. The hotly contested silver medal was secured by Glamdale WP Nrw (Glamourdale x Millennium) and Stephanie Ahlert. Severucci HT (Secret x Rubinrot) and Jeanna Högberg took bronze.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the crowd erupted in a thunderous round of applause when Red Viper and Bart went down the last central line. When the definitive scores were in and the speaker announced the championship title was won by the Dutch combination, Bart’s emotions ran high, making him tear up right in the saddle. “I feel a bit overwhelmed”, Bart admits after the prizegiving ceremony. “I feel like I aged ten years this last week because of all the impressions and the stress. Red Viper felt incredible today, and I thought we were riding a very good test. When the audience started cheering us on so early, my feelings were confirmed. I deliberately did not keep track of the scores of the other combinations. So it wasn’t until the official announcement that I knew we had won.”

Harmony
The jury was full of praise about the Pavo Cup 2024 winner. “We think Red Viper is such a talented horse and he performed such a harmonious test today. There is no doubt his future in dressage is very bright”, says commentating judge Patricia Wolters. The chestnut stallion, bred by C. Kerbert and owned by Reesink Horses, received an impressive score of 93.8%, including a 9.7 for his canter and 9.8 for perspective. “The stallion has such an expressive canter with ample balance and uphill tendency, but at the same time a great ability to collect.” His rider Bart Veeze had all the faith in his stallion, but felt some pressure after winning the qualification on Wednesday. “I think Red Viper is a very good horse and it was my goal to show everyone how amazing he is.”

Taking after his dam
The breeders of Red Viper, mister and miss Kerbert, say they have had a fantastic day. “It was super. It is a beautiful event to visit, and this makes it even more special. Zolena, the dam of Red Viper, has participated twice in the WC for young dressage horses with our daughter. This medal brings us to a full circle. You cannot predict such a result, it is an intricate confluence of many factors, from horse to management, education and rider. Today, it all came together, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.” Dam Zolena competed in the 2009 and 2010 WC for young dressage horses in Verden with Annemein Kerbert and qualified for the final at both five and six years of age.

Debut
The numbers two and three of the qualification switched places in the final standings. The Westphalian stallion Glamdale WP Nrw (Glamourdale x Millennium), bred by Zg Pleines and owned by Heike Pleines, and his rider Stephanie Ahlert improved their scores of last Wednesday up to 90.2%. Receiving three 9.0s and a 9.2 for perspective and trot, it was a striking debut for the German combination. “It is our first time in Ermelo, and it is all quite overwhelming”, says Stefanie. “Glamdale felt amazing on Wednesday and performed such a good test, but tonight he gave a little bit extra in front of the vibrant crowd.”

Four nines
For the Swedish Jeanna Högberg it was the second time to finish in the top three today. Earlier today she won the small final for the seven-year-old gorses, but the bronze medal with Severucci HT, thanks to a score of preciselt 90.00%, feels like a reward. “I don’t want to think about what the other riders are doing, just simply focus on Severucci and ride our best test. He felt great on Wednesday and was amazing today, too. The only thing working against us, was this one here”, the rider points laughingly to the Dutchman besides her. The SWB stallion, bred and owned by Absolut Dental Ab, is a son of the mare Riviera (Rubinrot x Larino). This mare also produced Fiorucci HT (by Florencio I), with whom Jeanna won silver at the 2016 WC for young dressage horses for 7-year-old horses. “It’s not often a mare produced two offspring that both won a medal.” Fiorucci is now active in the Grand Prix and with four 9s on his scoresheet, the future of younger brother Severucci seems very bright, too.”

Photo: Stefan Lafrentz