marieke van der putten pakt eerste nk-titel met indrukwekkende kür
Ermelo, zondag, 31 mei 2026.
Marieke van der Putten heeft zondag de titel gewonnen op het NK Dressuur in Ermelo. Met haar merrie Zantana RS2 boekte ze haar eerste nationale titel. Het duo haalde 87,84% in de kür, een persoonlijke top. Van der Putten domineerde het veld, ruim voor op zilvermedaillewinnaar Dinja van Liere. Die reed met de negenjarige Mauro Turfhorst, die zijn eerste kür op NK-niveau liep. Ook Marlies van Baalen kwam sterk terug met Habibi DVB, na een blessureperiode. Bondscoach Patrick van der Meer noemde de prestaties hoopgevend voor de komende WK in Aken.
historic victory for marieke van der putten
Marieke van der Putten claimed her first national title at the Dutch Dressage Championships (NK Dressuur) in Ermelo on Sunday, May 31, 2026 [1]. Riding Zantana RS2 N.O.P., a 12-year-old mare, she delivered a dominant performance across both rounds. Their score in the Grand Prix reached 77.935%, followed by a personal best 87.84% in the Freestyle (kür) [2][3]. This marked a significant improvement, calculated as 12.709, equating to approximately 12.71% growth in performance score [2][3].
dominant freestyle seals gold
The decisive moment came during the Freestyle competition where Van der Putten scored 87.84%, nearly ten points higher than her Grand Prix result [2]. This exceptional run solidified her lead, making her the clear champion with a total of 166.775 points [1][3]. Her nearest competitor, Dinja van Liere, earned silver with 158.397 points after riding Mauro Turfhorst NOPT, who competed in his first major championship kür [1][4]. Van der Putten described the experience as surreal, stating, “I stand here still with some disbelief when I see the scores on the board” [1].
comeback success for van baalen and habibi dvb
Marlies van Baalen secured bronze with 148.775 points alongside her mount Habibi DVB, returning strongly after injury setbacks [1][3]. The pair achieved a near 80% score in the kür, showcasing resilience and form ahead of international goals [3]. Van Baalen credited her recovery process to a dedicated team effort, noting the careful rehabilitation program that brought them back to peak condition [1]. Despite narrowly missing out on second place by just 0.11%, their performance reaffirmed their competitive standing nationally [3].
rising stars and future ambitions
Dinja van Liere praised her young partner Mauro Turfhorst, highlighting his maturity despite being only nine years old and competing in just his third Grand Prix event [1][4]. She expressed optimism about his potential inclusion for upcoming championships, including the World Championships in Aachen later in summer 2026 [1]. Head coach Patrick van der Meer emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent while relying on experienced pairs such as Van Baalen and Habibi DVB [1]. He outlined plans to send eight combinations to CHIO Rotterdam as preparation for key selection trials [1].
roadmap to los angeles 2028
The Netherlands aims to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles through strong performances at the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championship in Aachen [1]. According to national coach Patrick van der Meer, finishing among the top six nations in the team competition is essential for Olympic qualification [1]. With rising talents like Mauro Turfhorst and proven performers like Zantana RS2 emerging, the squad appears well-positioned for success [1][3]. Preparation includes strategic participation in elite events leading up to the championship season [1].