Nalegro makes international debut at Festival 4 Dressage in Opglabbeek in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special

As a young horse, Nalegro (by Painted Black x Negro x Gershwin; breeders: J.L. Hanse, Burgh-Haamstede & Van Olst Horses, Den Hout) already showed an aptitude for Grand Prix-level work, and he confirmed that potential in Opglabbeek. Making his international debut under Charlotte Fry, the KWPN stallion scored over 67%, securing fourth place. The 8-year-old stallion was very eager during the Grand Prix, which occasionally manifested as some tension—though he certainly does not lack power or ability.
Fry and Nalegro take second place
In the Grand Prix Special, the pair stepped it up a notch, finishing in second place with a score of nearly 70%. One of the judges, Janine van Twist, even placed them at the top of the field during their international debut. Nalegro makes international debut at Festival 4 Dressage in Opglabbeek in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special
The impressive stallion consistently earns high marks across all movements..

Victory for Everdale offspring Jackpot and Jeroen Devroe at the CDI3* Grand Prix Opglabbeek.

Jeroen Devroe won the three-star Grand Prix at the Festival 4 Dressage in Opglabbeek. With Jackpot (Everdale x Jazz), the Belgian rider broke the 70% barrier.
Devroe and Jackpot, bred by J. Groenendijk, made their international Grand Prix debut in 2024. In early September, Devroe and Jackpot scored over 70% for the first time in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Spécial in Deauville. In Opglabbeek, they confirmed that form with a score of 70.174%, securing the victory.

IBOP Houten: Top score for Lantanas daughter and NMK mare Tarquinio VDP

At yesterday’s IBOP in Houten, 12 of the 16 mares passed. Six of them were awarded at least 80 points. The top scorer was Lantanas daughter Tarquinio VDP (by Toto Jr), who was already a standout at the mare inspections this summer. This mare, owned by Petty van Dijk-Vos, scored 88 points. After Tarquinio VDP (Lantanas out of Oliveira VDP star sport-dress D-OC by Toto Jr.), bred by Petty van Dijk-Vos, became a star mare at the studbook inspection with 80/85 points, including 90 points for the trot, she was declared day champion at the CK in Huijbergen. There, she also earned an invitation to the NMK. Just over two months later, she showed a very convincing performance in the IBOP. Trot a highlight “A mare with remarkably high quality. She walks with tact, scope, and active use of her hind legs. Her trot is truly a highlight, with great swing, agility, and looseness. Naturally, she possesses a lot of carriage in this gait and requires absolutely no speed. It is truly striking how well she stays on her hindquarters and then really manages to climb into the canter. In canter, she also has a lot of posture and balance, and good leg technique. This mare has a lot of potential and was also presented very well,” says Luuk Smetsers, who judged the horses together with Floor Dröge. Tarquinio VDP received a 9.5 for both her trot and aptitude.

When the stars align: A podcast with Anne van Olst

Bretagne VDL impresses during the NRPS performance test

LUNTEREN – The young dressage stallion Bretagne VDL (Be Sure x Secret; breeder: Mount St John Equestrian) made an excellent impression yesterday during the first day of evaluations for the NRPS performance test. Ridden by Lucas Fernandez Paez, the stallion delivered a highly convincing performance under saddle.
The performance test officially kicked off yesterday morning at the De Nieuwe Heuvel equestrian center in Lunteren. Monday was dedicated entirely to the dressage stallions, which were evaluated under saddle by the stallion inspection committee for the first time. Bretagne VDL displayed great suppleness and freedom of movement, earning high praise from the sidelines.

Secret Lover and Charlotte Fry Impress in ZZ-Zwaar Class in Heeze

HEEZE – Last Friday, the Subtop competition in Heeze provided the setting for a magnificent performance by the KWPN-approved stallion Secret Lover (by Secret out of Oh La La by Fürstenball; bred by Bodo Zumbruch, Wangerland). Ridden by World Champion Charlotte Fry, this promising black stallion made his debut in the ZZ-Zwaar class. The combination once again demonstrated extraordinary quality, convincingly continuing their upward trajectory by winning the class with a score of no less than 72%.
In Heeze, the seven-year-old stallion proved he could effortlessly handle the step up to more advanced work. Displaying his characteristic suppleness, powerful hind-leg action, and impressive uphill canter under Fry’s expert guidance, he delivered a highly harmonious and consistent test. The performance in Heeze also served as an excellent gauge for the near future; the pair is scheduled to shine in the ZZ-Zwaar class later this week, on October 10, at the prestigious Team Challenge during the Indoor Friesland event.
Secret Lover will be competing in the prestigious Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge. This unique team competition is designed to bring together various dressage levels within a single event. Each team consists of three combinations, with each rider competing in a different class: Z2, ZZ-Licht, and ZZ-Zwaar. The individual scores of the three team members are added together to determine the winning team.
Fry and Secret Lover are part of the formidable KWPN team. In addition to Fry and Secret Lover (competing at ZZ-Zwaar level), this absolute dream team comprises Kim Noordijk with Perfect Ritme (Z2 level) and Lara van Nek with Obsession Taonga (ZZ-Licht level).
The Paardenkliniek Wolvega Team Challenge is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, October 10, at the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden. The exact start time for each rider will be confirmed once the official start lists go live on Indoor Friesland’s channels. It promises to be a magnificent afternoon of sport, transitioning seamlessly into the breeders’ café and the spectacular Night of the Stallions.
Buoyed by their strong performance in Heeze, the Van Olst Horses team is heading to Leeuwarden with full confidence, where the audience will once again be able to witness this absolute top talent of the future.

Glamourdale: The Spectacular KWPN Dressage Stallion Ridden by Charlotte Fry

Few horses command the dressage arena quite like Glamourdale. With his striking black appearance, enormous presence and breathtaking movement, this KWPN stallion has become one of the most recognisable stars of international dressage. 🌟🐎
Ridden by British Olympian Charlotte “Lottie” Fry, Glamourdale has progressed from an exciting young horse into a World Champion, Olympic medallist and World Cup winner. 🏆🇬🇧
🌟 Bred for Dressage
Born in 2011, Glamourdale is a KWPN stallion by Lord Leatherdale and out of Thuja, a daughter of the influential stallion Negro. His breeder is Joop Rodenburg of the Netherlands, while Glamourdale has been closely associated with Van Olst Horses throughout his international career.
His potential was apparent early. As a three-year-old, Glamourdale became champion at the KWPN Stallion Show. 🥇
But that was only the beginning.
In 2018, Fry and Glamourdale captured the World Championship for seven-year-old dressage horses, scoring 87.05%. His spectacular canter was already becoming one of his trademarks. 🐎💨
👑 Becoming World Champions
Years of careful training eventually brought Fry and Glamourdale to the highest level of dressage.
Their breakthrough on the senior championship stage came at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark. The combination produced outstanding performances to capture two individual gold medals, establishing themselves among the world’s elite. 🥇🥇🌍
Glamourdale’s powerful extended canter became particularly famous. His ability to cover the arena with enormous, expressive strides makes him instantly recognisable to dressage fans.
🇬🇧 European and Olympic Glory
The success continued at the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck. Fry and Glamourdale helped Great Britain secure team gold, with their Grand Prix performance scoring a personal-best 81.258%. Glamourdale received an extraordinary six scores of 10 for his extended canter. 🔟✨
They later produced a stunning 92.379% Grand Prix Freestyle, earning individual silver. 🥈
Then came the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 🇫🇷🔥
Fry and Glamourdale helped Great Britain win team bronze before returning for the individual Freestyle, where they scored 88.971% to claim another Olympic bronze medal. 🥉🇬🇧
🏆 World Cup Champions
Another major title arrived in 2025, when Fry and Glamourdale won the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Basel. Their victory added yet another prestigious championship to an already remarkable collection.
Behind those victories lies a partnership developed over many years. Fry first teamed up with Glamourdale when the stallion was six, and their journey together has taken them from young-horse competition to the biggest dressage arenas in the world. ❤️🐴
🧬 A Stallion With a Legacy
Glamourdale isn’t only making an impact through competition. As a KWPN-approved keur stallion, his influence is also being felt through his offspring. KWPN has highlighted multiple Glamourdale descendants progressing into higher-level sport and approved sons entering breeding programmes. 🧬✨
Power, elegance, personality and unmistakable presence have made Glamourdale a favourite with dressage audiences.
Together, Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale demonstrate what can happen when exceptional breeding, careful training and a special horse-and-rider partnership come together. 🌟
From young-horse champion to World Champion, Olympic medallist and World Cup winner, Glamourdale has truly earned his place among the outstanding dressage horses of his generation. 👑🐎🏆

PAVO Cup | Real Dream leads among five-year-olds

On Saturday, Charlotte Fry rode the KWPN stallion Real Dream (Dynamic Dream out of Fivanny Ster Prok by Negro, breeder Maatschap Pleyter & H.A. van Triest) brilliantly in the final of the Pavo Cup for five-year-olds. The pair scored an impressive 90.000%.

Real Dream was not only well-received by judges Patricia Wolters and Ralph van Venrooij. Judge and guest rider Robin Bernoski was also very enthusiastic and awarded the KWPN-approved stallion 92%. The canter was the highlight with a 9.7.

Canter as the highlight
The judges’ commentary was provided by Patricia Wolters. “The highlight for us was the canter, which possessed jump, scope, and impulsion. The hind leg came through very well and he moved beautifully upwards. It was a harmonious test. The exercises were successful and Lottie Fry presented him beautifully.”

Spotlight on the people behind dressage during the World Championships in Aachen

During the World Championships in Aachen, the spotlight was not solely on the riders and their horses. The people who contribute behind the scenes on a daily basis to the dressage horses’ performances also received the recognition they deserve. During this wonderful event, particular emphasis was placed on the important role played by grooms and owners.

After all, a top performance in dressage is never achieved in the competition arena alone. Behind every horse is a team that works hard every day. From daily care, training and preparation to the horse’s welfare whilst travelling and during the competition: the groom is an indispensable link. With their knowledge, dedication and eye for detail, they ensure that horses are optimally prepared and in the best possible condition when they take to the arena.

Owners also play a vital role in the sport. They help to ensure that horses can develop to the highest level and support the riders and their horses throughout their careers. A successful partnership is therefore the result of collaboration between the horse, rider, groom, owner and the entire team surrounding them.

It’s wonderful to see that at an event such as the World Championships in Aachen, the focus isn’t just on the performances in the arena, but also on the people who contribute to this every day. Because behind every champion there is a team that works together, looks after the horses, supports them and, above all, shares an enormous passion for them.

A well-deserved tribute to all the grooms, owners and other team members who give their all for their horses, day in, day out.

Aachen 2026: Glamourdale Airlines delivers double gold

Under the lights of Aachen’s iconic stadium and in front of a crowd of more than 40,000 spectators, the world’s best dressage combinations delivered a spectacular evening of freestyle competition. Leading the way was Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, who produced a breathtaking performance to claim a second freestyle gold medal and secure her title as a double World Champion.

Lottie delivered yet another back-to-back Gold performance, becoming the double World Champion for the second time aboard her own and Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale. With her high-energy medley of flying-themed pop and classic songs, Lottie and Glamourdale glided around the stage in front of judges Maria Colliander (K – FIN), Clive Halsall (E – GBR), Maribel Alonso de Quinzaños (H – MEX), Ulrike Nivelle (C – GER), Alice Schwab (M – AUT), Michael Osinki (B – USA) and Kurt Christiansen (F – DEN) to finish on a fantastic 91.907%. This stunning score bests their winning score from the 2022 World Championships in Herning where they completed on 90.654%, and sat less than 0.9% away from their personal best that they achieved at the FEI European Championships in 2023. In their artistic marks, the pair achieved no less that 97.200%, with four of the judges on 99.000% or higher. For the technical, Lottie and Glamourdale achieved numerous 10’s throughout the canter work, leaving them with scores in the mid 80.000% from all of the judges.

Speaking about her performance on the Lord Leatherdale-sired stallion, Lottie quite simply said “It couldn’t be better for me”, going on further to explain “he was completely relaxed, he was super happy, we both enjoyed every second. We weren’t sweating, we weren’t out of breath, it was just so enjoyable”. Throughout the music, which included songs such as Frank Sinatras ‘Come Fly With Me’, Vengaboys’ ‘We’re Going to Ibiza’, John Denver’s ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’, and Nelly Furtado’s ‘I’m like a Bird’, Lottie described herself as “smiling throughout the test, I had to keep reminding myself to ‘concentrate… we’re at the World Championship!’, but it was the most amazing feeling in the world. This really was the best test of our lives so far so I do hope that we continue to improve but for now… this is just incredible.”

“It has been an amazing week, Glammy has performed beyond all of our expectations and he’s been a complete dream to ride from the stable to the arena he’s so happy here… he loves it. Before we went in to the main arena… he kept looking over there [the main arena] from the warm up every time they started clapping as if to go ‘can we go yet!’. I had to tell him it wasn’t our go yet, we have to wait! He was whinnying the whole way in, he was so excited to get in there, but as soon as you are in he is so quiet and calm… like this is his place.”

Speaking on the atmosphere of the crowd, Lottie described it as “amazing”, going on further to explain that “going in, you know it’s going to be a huge atmosphere, but you don’t really look up to have a look at what’s going on around you… but you can feel everyone there, especially when he does an extended canter, I can hear them which is really cool! … I’ve never ridden in quite an arena like that.”

Bron: British Dressage