For nearly fifteen years, Zwolle has been a competition where stallions have performed show jumping and dressage at an international level. From 8 to 18 January 2009 this formula will be changed for the first time. ‘Every dressage and show jumping combination that can perform at top level is welcome from now on’, explained the organiser Chris van Dam. As well as the international show jumping and dressage sections, Zwolle International will have space for an international youth competition for dressage riders, a national dressage day, the KWPN Harness Horse Stallion Approvals, the Most Beautiful Harness Horse Evening of the Year and a jumping competition for regional riders.
‘The turnaround to what you might call a top international competition has actually already been on the cards for a couple of years. It’s true, we have had great sport for stallions for years but in the recent editions we felt the level was not up to scratch. Many owners were not prepared to show their stallions. Winning at Zwolle always resulted in lots of servicings but, of course, in a section with 40 participants you can only have 1 winner and 39 losers’, explained the organisers. ‘It is logical that from the point of view of paticipants interest had waned in recent years.’
In 2008, the event experimented with various other formulas. The result of these experiments was a clear choice toward first class sport. Competitions such as Leeuwarden, Meppel and Zuidlaren have disappeared or will disappear in the coming years. With this in mind, it would be good if there was a top sports event in Noord-Nederland where international top sport was performed. Zwolle has everything needed for this kind of top sport and from that viewpoint it is nothing but desirable to put those developments into action.
As has already been mentioned there will be much more to do in Zwolle besides international top sport. What is new is the GMB championships for 4 and 5-year-old show jumpers. As well as this, the finals of the Hippo Zorg Jumping Challenge will take place as will the traditionally very popular Most Beautiful Harness Horse Evening of the Year.
For more information, please click on www.zwolleinternational.nl.
