19 June '24
VDL Groep Iron Z helps Netherlands win Nations Cup in Sopot
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Studbook
© CSIO Sopot
Slovakia hosted the CSIO of Samorin, but two other Nations Cups also took place last weekend. In Poland, for example, there was the CSIO of Sopot at four-star level and there some Zangersheide horses came out particularly strong during that Nations Cup on Friday afternoon.
One of those horses was the 11-year-old grey gelding VDL Groep Iron Z, a son of VDL Groep Charisma Z and Mr. Blue bred by the Van der Leegte family at Stoeterij Duyselshof in the Netherlands. VDL Groep Iron Z has been a top combination with Dutch rider Leopold van Asten for several years and that was once again confirmed last weekend. The successful duo managed to ensure a flawless performance in both the first and second round and with these two clear rounds they had an important share in the Dutch team's victory.
However, van Asten and VDL Groep Iron Z were not the only ones who managed to impress during this Nations Cup. British rider Oliver Fletcher also jumped two clear rounds with the 12-year-old stallion Hello William, a son of Waldo van Dungen and Stakkato, who was born Willie Wonka LVS Z at Lissava Stud Farm. Partly due to these performances, the British team finished 4th in the standings.
On Sunday during the final day, it was then of course looking forward to the CSIO4* GP and in it there was a top 5 placing for Saudi rider Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty and the 9-year-old mare Diana du Plevau Z, a daughter of Dieu Merci Van T&L Z and Kashmir Van Schuttershof from the breeding farm of Marc Palm. Diana du Plevau Z and Palm did run into 4 penalties in the first round, but a clear second round eventually secured them 5th place in the standings.