On May 30 and 31, 2026, Menteam De Heemhoeve participated in the combined driving competition in Zuidwolde. Both Lynley Benneker, with Stapleford Joint Venture (call name Johnny), and Gerard Horst, with Now Or Never (call name Brammetje), competed in
class L.
The program started on Saturday, May 30, with the dressage and cones competition. Gerard from team De Heemhoeve was the first to drive.
For this combination, it was their first combined competition.
Unfortunately, the dressage test was ridden at a slightly too slow tempo throughout. There were also still too many mistakes in the test, although Brammetje did not appear overly tense. But all in all, there was quite a lot to criticize about the dressage test. Consequently, this test received a score of 72.00 penalty points and a 17th place.
The cones test went more smoothly for Gerard with Brammetje. The test was completed with a minimal time overrun (0.48 seconds), resulting in 0.24 penalty points for time. Unfortunately, two balls were knocked down, bringing the total number of penalty points in the cones test to 6.24, placing him in 15th position.
In the afternoon, Lynley had to drive the dressage and cones test with Johnny. As usual, this combination entered the arena looking fresh and energetic and performed a beautiful dressage test. This resulted in a score of 55.00 penalty points (a score of 65.6%) and a 3rd place in the drassage.
Lynley and Johnny managed to complete the cones test well within the allotted time, resulting in 0 penalty points for time. However, unfortunately, the combination knocked down one ball, incurring 3.00 penalty points in the cones. This resulted in a 10th place finish in the cones.
But overall, Lynley and Johnny were in 3rd place in the standings after day 1 !
On Sunday, May 31st, Gerard and Brammetje had to start first in the marathon for Team De Heemhoeve once again. Course A, 7,100 meters long, was completed at a steady pace within the set time limits. The obstacle course, measuring 7,280 meters, was a new experience for the combination. Consequently, the first obstacle was taken with some hesitation, but Brammetje grew into the obstacle. And that had its effect in obstacle 2, the water jump. With great bravado, the ram enthusiastically jumped into the water jump (the groom had washed her feet again), and a good score was achieved in this obstacle. Obstacles 3 through 6 were also tackled with enthusiasm. It could be a bit faster, but this was a wonderful and valuable experience for this team.
With an 18th place in the marathon, a total score of 163.37 penalty points was ultimately achieved in the overall standings, securing 17th place.
Around midday, it was Lynley's turn to drive the marathon with Johnny. As usual, Johnny started off impetuously on section A (apparently a boring part for him?). However, section A was completed neatly within the set time limits.
By the time Lynley and Johnny had to tackle the obstacle course in the marathon, the temperature had risen to at least 25 degrees. And Johnny isn't enthusiastic about temperatures like that. That became apparent right at the first obstacle. Fortunately, Johnny recovered somewhat at the first obstacle, but generally speaking, his fast cut was a bit lacking.
That ultimately resulted in a score of 73.68 penalty points in the marathon and 11th place.
With a total score of 131.68 penalty points, Lynley and Johnny achieved a nice 7th place in the overall standings. A score worth 1 winning point.
Thanks to the helpful grooms Tessa, Marcel, and Gerard, we were once again able to enjoy participating in the well-organized Zuidwolde competition.