2008 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships

Maria van den Dungen Claims Second Dutch Indoor Pony Champion's Title

March 3, 2008

Maria van den Dungen has won the 2008 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships in Wanroij, The Netherlands, March 1, 2008, and claimed her second Indoor Champion's title in a row with her German Reitpony stallion Pan Tau B (by Power Star).

The 14-year old Maria was the favourite for the title but had a strong challenger in Antoinette te Riele on Danny Boy B. With her solid, correct test, Van den Dungen scored 69.8%, while Te Riele's mark was 69.3% Van den Dungen renewed her title and with her recent successes aboard her second pony Dino P, she is currently proving to be Holland's best pony rider. Anne Meulendijks and routinier Basalt finished third on 65.6%

"I was very happy, Pan Tau felt really good. He really wanted to do it for me in the ring," Maria commented. "Last year I only had him for six weeks and became champion. Now we have become a team. You can learn a lot in a year."

President of the jury, Mrs van Oers, was very happy about the quality of riding at the Indoor Championship. "The level was good with a big middle group, but Maria and Antoinette clearly stood out. They were very equal to each other but this time Maria won. She rode a very consistent test with lots of sevens. It is remarkable how correct Maria rides, each movement is exercised with so much precision. Antoinette seemed less concentrated and lost some points because of that," Van Oers said.

Related Links
Maria van den Dungen Wins the 2007 Dutch Indoor Pony Championships
Pan Tau B Sold to Maria van den Dungen