Team silver in the European Championships

From August 19th till 25th, 2019, 70 athletes from 24 countries and teams from 15 nations contested gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Championships. Appointed to the Dutch dressage team were Edward Gal with GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. and Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. with a view to making the dream come true, namely achieving bronze in their home country. The serious business began on Monday (19 August 2019) when the dressage riders embarked on the Grand Prix from 9am. This competition counted as the qualifier for team medals and, due to the large number of starters, extended over two days (19 + 20/08). It was already on Thursday (22/08) in the Grand Prix Special that the first individual decider came. Qualifying to start were the best 30 duos from the Grand Prix.

The top 15 horse-rider pairings from the Grand Prix Special were then to qualify for the Grand Prix Freestyle, taking place on Saturday (24/08) as the last competition to decide dressage medals, albeit one that offered a maximum of 3 starting places per nation.

In the Grand Prix team evaluation, the Netherlands were forced to work hard for their chance of a medal but, following the performances of Anne Meulendijks with MDH Avanti N.O.P. (drop-result at 71.801 %), Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. (75.295 %) and Emmelie Scholtens with Desperado N.O.P. (76.087 %), came an outstanding ride by Edward Gal with GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. as the last contestant in his team. With the DWB stallion he scored an outstanding 78.758 %, meaning initially that the Netherlands could celebrate team bronze, only then for a disqualification among the British to mean promotion to team silver.

The GLOCK stallions also gave top performances in the Grand Prix Special. GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. under Edward Gal took eighth place with 77.994 % and GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. under Hans Peter Minderhoud took 13th with 75.517 %, meaning that the two GLOCK duos qualified among the best 15 and for the freestyle final.

The freestyle at the European Championships in Rotterdam marked a great occasion for Edward Gal, who was to present his new freestyle with GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P., composed specially for the duo by Joost Peters. Under the enthralled gaze of the king’s mother, H.R.H. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Hans Peter Minderhoud opened for the Netherlands and Team GLOCK and, in the saddle on 11--year-old GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P., son of Vivaldi, he delivered a freestyle performance of perfect fusion. The score of 81.546 % meant a personal best and ninth place.
All the way to the king’s lounge, frenetic celebration accompanied Edward Gal and 11-year-old DWB stallion GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. for their amazing freestyle, which earned 84.271 % and sixth place, meaning a joint best performance for the aspiring GLOCK Duo.

The silver-winning team at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam! Team trainer Alex van Silfhout, Edward Gal, Emmelie Scholtens, Anne Meulendijks and Hans Peter Minderhoud. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. during training in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud and GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. during training in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Behind the scenes always on duty: GLOCK Groom Anna, GLOCK Trainer Nicole Werner and GLOCK Groom Vanessa. © Arnd Bronkhorst

For the opening ceremony of the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam, the teams arrived in appropriate style by boat. © Arnd Bronkhorst

The great hopes for the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam: The Dutch team with Edward Gal, Anne Meulendijks, Emmelie Scholtens and Hans Peter Minderhoud. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Deep in concentration in the Grand Prix of the 2019 European Championships Rotterdam: Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. © Arnd Bronkhorst

As the last to ride for the Netherlands in the Grand Prix, Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. achieved a tour de force! With the DWB stallion he scored an outstanding 78.758 % and the Netherlands were able to celebrate team silver. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. in the Grand Prix at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Top! Hans Peter Minderhoud scored 75.295 % with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. in the Grand Prix. © Arnd Bronkhorst

GLOCK Groom Vanessa with GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. © Arnd Bronkhorst

The silver-winning team of the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. Emmelie Scholtens, Anne Meulendijks, team trainer Alex van Silfhout, Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. in the Grand Prix Special at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. in the Grand Prix Special at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Team NL: GLOCK Groom Vanessa Ruiter, team trainer Alex van Silfhout, GLOCK Trainer Nicole Werner and GLOCK Groom Anna Visser. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Edward Gal and GLOCK’s Zonik N.O.P. scored an outstanding 84.271 % in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam (6th place). © Arnd Bronkhorst

Fan-power galore at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Hans Peter Minderhoud with GLOCK’s Dream Boy N.O.P. achieved their joint best performance in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam with a score of 81.546 %. © Arnd Bronkhorst