Marijke Hammink Dominates International World Championship Test Event in Mørkøv
The international driving competition in Mørkøv, Denmark, provided an important test last week ahead of the FEI World Championship for Pony Driving, which will be held at the venue in 2027. Single, pair and Four-in-Hand combinations competed across several two- and three-star classes. One of the most convincing performances came from Marijke Hammink (NED), who won all three phases in the Pony Four-in-Hand class.
For the pony drivers, the event offered a valuable opportunity to gain experience at the future World Championship venue. Hammink was positive about her first experience of Mørkøv.
"It was a beautiful venue and very well organised. The obstacles were good and so was the dressage arena, so there was certainly nothing to complain about."
Hammink Wins All Three Phases
There was no stopping Marijke Hammink (NED) in the 3* Pony Four-in-Hand class. She immediately took the lead in dressage with 41.97 penalty points.
Hammink was also the best in the marathon. She recorded the fastest time in every obstacle and finished the phase with 77.97 penalty points. "The marathon went really well. Everything we wanted to do worked out. And when you then turn out to be the fastest through every obstacle as well, that’s obviously a great result."
Hammink completed her dominant performance by adding 0.00 penalties in the cones. She won with a final score of 119.94 penalty points, almost 21 penalties ahead of Daniel Pineda Andic (ESP), who finished second on 140.89. Joris Wouda (NED) took third place with 153.74 penalty points.
Fiefhaus Wins Close Battle in Pony Pairs
The margins were considerably smaller in the 3* Pony Pairs. Tobias Fiefhaus (GER) was third after dressage but moved up to second following the marathon. With 4.04 penalties in the cones, he ultimately secured victory on a total of 139.30 penalty points.
Sietske Flobbe (NED) finished second with 145.36, while Louise Kaiholm (DEN) was just 0.38 penalties behind on 145.74, completing the top three.
Karina Blaabjerg Wins Large Single Pony Class
With more than 30 classified competitors, the 3* Single Pony class was the largest of the event. Victory remained on home soil thanks to Karina Blaabjerg (DEN). She won the dressage with 46.07 penalty points and entered the cones in second place overall after the marathon. Blaabjerg added just 0.06 penalties in the final phase to finish on 124.38 and secure the overall victory.
Beren Meuwis Cressent (FRA) finished second with 127.92 penalty points. A completely clear cones round moved Dirk Bastiaansen (NED) into third place on 130.71.
Johanna Heidotting Wins Every Phase at 2* Level
Victory in the 2* Single Pony class also went to the Netherlands. Johanna Heidotting (NED) was the best competitor in all three phases. After scoring 58.13 penalty points in dressage and 75.96 in the marathon, she added 16.67 penalties in the cones. Her final score of 150.76 secured the overall victory.
Anna Vieth Kjerside (DEN) finished second on 179.37, while Al Westberg Molkjær (DEN) took third with 182.23 penalty points.
Strong Marathon Secures Victory for Roger Campbell
In the 3* Horse Pairs, the overall victory went to Roger Campbell (GBR). Amanda Krogstad (SWE) led after dressage with 49.11 penalty points, while Campbell was second on 54.03.
Campbell turned the tables in the marathon. His score of 82.84 penalty points was the best result in the class and moved him into the overall lead. He added 18.00 penalties in the concluding cones phase to finish on a total of 154.87.
Krogstad incurred 15.84 penalties in the cones and finished second on 160.74. Eva Ottosson (SWE) completed the top three with 179.80 penalty points.
Marie Schiltz Takes First and Second
Marie Schiltz (LUX) played a starring role in the 3* Single Horse class, taking both first and second place with two different horses. Her winning total was 150.62 penalty points, while her second combination finished on 152.21.
Lise Irene Kosmo Gylseth (NOR) had led after dressage and marathon, but 12.00 penalties in the cones left her third overall on 152.33. Just 1.71 penalty points separated first and third place.
Alexander Gibson Leads the Way at 2* Level
The 2* Single Horse class was won by Alexander Gibson (GER). He produced the best result in dressage, marathon and cones, finishing the competition on 150.60 penalty points. Vilma Leppäkangas (FIN) took second place with 163.36, while Jens Thorsen (DEN) finished third on 169.69 penalty points.
Stefan Beckmann Wins 2* Pony Pairs
In the 2* Pony Pairs, Stefan Beckmann (GER) led from start to finish. He won the dressage with 54.71 penalty points, produced the best marathon result and added 9.08 penalties in the cones. His final score was 135.64. Christof Weihe (GER) finished second on 198.36, while Thomas Andersen (DEN) took third with 201.74 penalty points.
Gollmer Sole Competitor in 2* Pony Four-in-Hand
The 2* Pony Four-in-Hand class had one competitor. Susan Gollmer (GER) completed all three phases and finished the competition with a total of 214.39 penalty points.
For the pony classes in particular, the international event provided a valuable first test at the venue where the 2027 World Championship titles for Single Ponies, Pony Pairs and Pony Four-in-Hand will be decided.
For Hammink, that first experience could hardly have gone better: three phases, three victories and not a single penalty added in the concluding cones phase.
Source: Hoefnet. Republishing without permission is prohibited. For permission requests, please contact info@hoefnet.nl
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