Glamourdale also takes gold in the freestyle

Charlotte Fry and the KWPN-approved Glamourdale brought their golden World Championships week in Aachen to a stylish close. Following their victory in the Grand Prix Special, they also won the freestyle to music on Saturday evening. With their spectacular performance under floodlights, they scored 91.907 per cent, enabling Fry and Glamourdale to retain the world titles they won four years ago in Herning.

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Thuja stb pref prest by Negro, bred by Joop Rodenburg of Ouderkerk aan den IJssel) had to enter the arena immediately after reigning European champions Justin Verboomen and the KWPN-approved Zonik Plus (by Zonik). The Belgian pair had just taken the lead with 88.439 per cent and had already had the crowd on their feet.

Welcome to Glamourdale Airlines

Fry and the impressive stallion from Van Olst Horses had the crowd in the palm of their hands. The fifteen-year-old Glamourdale remained faultless and made a particularly strong impression during the canter sequence. The powerful extensions and expressive changes drew audible reactions from the crowd. Even before Fry and Glamourdale began their final AC line, a large section of the stadium was already on their feet. With a score of 91.907 per cent, they convincingly took the lead.

It couldn’t have gone better

“It was the most fantastic feeling in the world. We’ve never ridden a test like that before,” said Fry. “As soon as he enters the arena, he relaxes and we were both just able to enjoy it. It couldn’t have gone better and I couldn’t be happier. In Herning, it was as if Glammie still had something to prove to the world. This year, our whole team has put everything into this week. For it to turn out like this is a dream come true.

Source: KWPN

2026 GPS World Championships: Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale retain their world title

Four years ago, Glamourdale became a double World Champion in Herning. Now, four years later in Aachen, he has once again been crowned World Champion in the Grand Prix Spécial. Without a single break, he and Charlotte Fry brought home medals from every championship to Gertjan and Anne van Olst in Den Hout, and also competed in the World Cup season on three occasions. And now – where the best chances were thought to lie with Freestyle (silver), Zonik Plus (5th), Wendy (4th) and, since Wednesday, Denoix PCH (bronze) – it’s GOLD once again. With a well-deserved 82.295 per cent and a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted several minutes. Huge credit to Charlotte Fry, to her trainer Anne van Olst and her husband Gertjan van Olst, who still allowed Glamourdale to be covered. None of the other horses in the top ranks were present in Herning. Now that’s what you call sustainable success.

Rarely has a dressage championship been so thrilling. With six pairs (from five different countries) theoretically in contention for a medal, it really came down to the best performance. And the best performance won by a clear margin. And it’s worth saying for once: the judging was spot on!

Ridden by Charlotte Fry, Glamourdale produced the best test of his life in Aachen, thereby becoming a more than deserved World Champion. With 82.295 per cent, he pulled clear of the competition. The test was faultless; Glamourdale moved harmoniously, over his back, with swing, reaching upwards and with length. And he produced the best piaffes (the second and the last

On the final straight, the crowd (including the Dutch Glamourdale fans in the competitors’ stand) could no longer contain their excitement, and Glamourdale, carried by the crowd, raced to the world title. The 40,000 spectators in the stands, many of whom were just as knowledgeable about dressage as the judges, also made it clear that this was the winner. The first standing ovation. And it lasted for minutes on end.

Source: Horses.nl

Glamourdale retains world title in the Grand Prix Special

Charlotte Fry and the KWPN stallion Glamourdale have once again claimed the world title in the Grand Prix Special at Aachen. With a convincing score of 82.295 per cent, they finished well ahead of the strong field.

The 15-year-old Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale) showed himself at his best in Aachen’s impressive Soers arena. Charlotte Fry presented the black stallion in a forward-moving and fluid test, in which his enormous, extended canter and expressive changes particularly impressed the judges.

Standing ovation

The crowd were already clapping enthusiastically on the final straight, and after the final bow the stadium erupted. Six of the seven judges awarded Fry and Glamourdale first place, and Fry was escorted out of the stadium to a standing ovation. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour rode Mount St John Freestyle to silver, meaning that Fry and Laudrup-Dufour, just as in Herning, took the top two places on the podium. Germany’s Katharina Hemmer, riding Denoix PCH and scoring 80.866 per cent, provided a new name on the podium.

Glamourdale goes from strength to strength in the arena

“I can hardly believe what’s just happened,” said Fry. “Glamourdale just kept giving. I thought: let’s play it safe, but he seemed to be saying: no, let’s take a risk. I’ve never ridden such a good test with him. I’ve no words to describe him. He’s an incredible horse.” According to Fry, Glamourdale really comes into his own in front of a large audience. “He thrives in an arena like this and enjoys it. He loves Aachen. When all eyes are on him, he steps it up a notch.”

He gives his all

Following the Olympic Games in Paris and the European Championships in Crozet, where the pair didn’t achieve their best results, the team continued to search for the ideal preparation. In Aachen, everything came together at just the right moment. “Glamourdale doesn’t need many competitions, because every time he steps into the ring, he gives his all. It’s incredible that, at the age of fifteen, he’s still improving. Peaking at exactly the right moment is incredibly difficult and truly a team effort. There’s a long period of preparation behind it, and we’re supported by a large team. Today I knew he could do this. When he feels like this, I know it’s going to be good.”

Source: KWPN

Glamourdale Leads British Team to Silver

The KWPN stallion and reigning world champion Glamourdale (by Lord Leatherdale) took third place in the individual competition with Charlotte Fry, scoring 80.311%, and also led the British team—which included three Dutch horses—to a team silver medal. Great Escape Camelot was part of the gold-medal-winning German team.

In the thrilling Nations Cup, Germany took gold on home soil, Great Britain claimed silver, and Denmark secured bronze. The Netherlands finished fifth behind Belgium.

Glamourdale Loves Aachen

Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale out of Thuja pref prest by Negro, bred by F.J.W. Rodenburg, owned by Van Olst Horses from Den Hout) also showed under Charlotte Fry that he is in top form, and they will do their very best to defend their individual gold. “Glamourdale loves Aachen. The whole test felt like a highlight, even though we had a minor miscommunication in the first piaffe, but I got him back on track quickly. Glammie helped me tremendously throughout the test—it couldn’t have gone better,” Fry laughs.

Source: KWPN

King Glamourdale

Tatum v. Secret Lover qualifies for the NMK via a superb EPTM performance

A high-calibre group of mares took part in the EPTM exam in Ermelo on Friday 7 August. “We’ve had a good day today and are delighted with the results the mares have achieved,” explains Luuk Smeters. “After seven weeks of training and selection, we finally went into the final exam with a fine group of mares.”

 

Invitation to the NMK

The Secret Lover daughter Tatum (out of Nova Liz elite IBOP dressage sport-dressage D-OC by Everdale), bred by Van Olst Horses from Den Hout, received a 9 for her canter and achieved a total score of 85. She also received 80 points for conformation and an invitation to the NMK. “A mare with great breed character, possessing very good connections in the topline and a strong foundation. Under saddle, she is an elegant, youthful mare with a highly functional walk. She has ample reach and always walks with good drive and excellent rhythm. In trot, this mare displays great stride and leg action, whilst remaining very light-footed and moving freely through her body. Her most striking gait is the canter, in which she displays excellent balance and cantres beautifully from hind to fore, moving uphill with great ease and the ability to change leads. Furthermore, this mare is very rideable; she has plenty of drive and is always keen to work. A very well-rounded mare.”

 

Tatum is a half-sister to Taeke (by O’Frederic), who was awarded KWPN premium status this year; both horses are by Nova Liz (by Everdale) and were born in 2023 via embryo transfer.

 

Source: KWPN

KWPN stallion Pjethro (by Kjento) sold to the USA

Very recently, the KWPN stallion Pjethro (Kjento out of Jaomie elite IBOP-dress D-OC by Desperado, breeder A.J. Beerens, De Moer), approved by multiple studbooks, was sold to the USA.
Due to this recently completed sale and the impending export, Pjethro will not participate in the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden.
The super talented Pjethro, who demonstrated his talents under Lottie Fry (2nd Pavo Cup 2025, 3x stallion competition winner season 2025/2026), has been sold to the couple Fritz and Claudine Kundrun.
In addition to his superb sporting qualities, Pjethro also impresses with his offspring. It was agreed in the sale that the entire stock of frozen semen remains the property of Van Olst Horses, so that Pjethro remains available to European breeding through Van Olst Horses.

KWPN stallion Pjethro (by Kjento) sold to the USA

Very recently, the KWPN stallion Pjethro (Kjento out of Jaomie elite IBOP-dress D-OC by Desperado, breeder A.J. Beerens, De Moer), approved by multiple studbooks, was sold to the USA.
Due to this recently completed sale and the impending export, Pjethro will not participate in the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden.
The super talented Pjethro, who demonstrated his talents under Lottie Fry (2nd Pavo Cup 2025, 3x stallion competition winner season 2025/2026), has been sold to the couple Fritz and Claudine Kundrun.
In addition to his superb sporting qualities, Pjethro also impresses with his offspring. It was stipulated in the sale that the entire stock of frozen semen remains the property of Van Olst Horses, so that Pjethro remains available to European breeding through Van Olst Horses.

Pjethro scores with champion foal

At the well-attended Central Inspection in Houten, a group of eight dressage foals returned to the front group. Within this group, Floor Dröge and Luuk Smetsers awarded four foals a ticket to the National Foal Inspection.

Walethro impresses with presence and power in trot
Walethro (Pjethro out of Philourava star D-OC by Valverde), bred by Fajer Al-Sabah of Kuwait City and owned by Zandra Birkeland, received positive comments from the jury. “This is a well-developed colt with a lot of presence, a well-formed and muscular neck, and a good topline. He walks with good impulsion, good from the hindquarters, and shows good activity and rhythm. He trots with a lot of power, can switch gears well, and also gallops with a lot of power and hind leg usage,” says Smetsers.

Kjento hengst

Kjento scores 3 times with offspring from Nanny McPhee at SK Kootwijkerbroek: 85/90, 85/85 and 80/80

Source: KWPN/Horses
In 2023, Judith Ribbels and Patrick Reesink bred three mares by Kjento out of the Light Tour mare Nanny McPhee: Tutto Bene, Tsarina, and Tiptop. Yesterday, those mares received provisional approval at the studbook inspection at Marcel and Tamara van Manen’s in Kootwijkerbroek with scores of 85/90 (the highest score so far this year), 85/85, and 80/80 respectively.

Last year, Sophie Anne Maria (by For Romance) became the convincing NMK champion, after having already secured the title in Region East, and today Judith Ribbels and Patrick Reesink presented three Kjento daughters from the same dam. Including Tutto Bene (out of Nanny McPhee elite IBOP-dress sport-dress PROK by Vitalis), who contributed convincingly to her dam, who recently debuted in the international Small Tour, already being Preferent. And with full sisters Tsarina and Tiptop, almost double.

Tutto Bene was the star attraction in Kootwijkerbroek with 85/90 and holds (so far, with two studbook inspections still to go) the highest score of the year. “This is a very striking, strongly modeled mare of 1.74m who is well-proportioned. She has a particularly beautiful forehand, a strong topline, and a lot of presence. She moves with great impulsion, shoulder freedom, carriage, and balance. In both trot and canter, she clearly moves uphill,” explains Wim. She received 95 points for her conformation, in addition to 90 for both trot and canter. With this, Tutto Bene immediately puts herself forward as a candidate for the NMK, for which she can be officially selected via the Region East breeding day on August 1st.

Her full sister Tsarina (Kjento out of Nanny Mc Phee by Vitalis) was not far behind with 85/85. This very complete mare earned 90 points for both her trot and conformation. “This is also a very impressive, well-developed mare who is well-proportioned and possesses a lot of presence. Truly a beautiful and correct mare that moves strongly. She walks well, spaciously and with good use of her body. She trots uphill, with good leg technique, conformation, and balance. She also excels in her canter with her conformation and balance, and can change easily.”

To complete the celebration, a third full sister, Tiptop, received the star predicate with 80/80 today, with 85 for both the walk and the trot. A youthful mare that is well-proportioned and has a good neck shape. She trots light-footed and with good leg technique, rhythm, and regularity, once again a talented daughter of Nanny McPhee.