HOY Nominee: Impian D

Longines EEF Series Newsroom

“Impian means dream in the Malaysian language and Impian D makes all our dreams come true,” says Beb Van Doorn, breeder and owner of the 11-year-old KWPN stallion who has been making waves in the show jumping world over the past couple of seasons.

Impian D’s results are perhaps no surprise given he is the grandson of the legendary showjumper Baloubet du Rouet, who claimed Olympic gold at Athens in 2004 and won three consecutive World Cup titles with Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa, and the son of Jur Vrieling’s Olympic silver medallist and world team champion Bubalu VDL.

Originally trained by Marcel van Manen at MT Stables in Kootwijkerbroek, ‘Impie’ was three-year-old when he joined Henk Fredericks’ barn in Wapserveen.

“The rest is history. We started as a young couple together and we’ve grown up to compete at 5* level. When he was young he wasn’t the most special horse but he always did his job. He never gave me the feeling of being a top horse but he always produced clear rounds,” says the Dutch rider.

The pair has been regular members of the Dutch team in the Longines EEF Series over the past two seasons. In 2023 they represented the Netherlands in Aalborg, Drammen, Ebreichsdorf and at the final in Warsaw, and this year their consistent form has continued. They produced a double clear to help their team triumph on home soil in Peelbergen and were also fault free at the semifinals in Budapest to help secure the Netherlands’ place in September’s final.

“Impian won already five Nations Cups, he’s a great horse, really a horse of a lifetime. A couple of years ago I wasn’t doing so much international, and because of Impian, I’m getting everywhere. Last year he jumped the finals, he was runner up in last year’s Series’ Horse of the Year so I hope he might go one better this year,” said Henk following their result in Budapest.

Henk and Impie also jumped double clear to finish eighth in the 5* Grand Prix on home soil in Amsterdam earlier this year.

“The first time we competed in a Nations Cup competition we jumped a double clear and my mum and the breeder were there to watch, it was a moment I won’t ever forget. Jumping a double clear at our home show at Peelbergen was also amazing,” says Henk.

Impie is looked after at home by groom Milou van Hoften and the pair enjoy a special bond according to Henk.

“Milou takes great care of him and knows him so well, they have a great relationship. He is very easy at home and can even be a bit lazy. He hates being left behind – he goes crazy if the lorry leaves the yard without him, he just loves being out competing and all the attention. The more important the show the more excited he gets, he jumps out of his skin and always gives 200%,” says Henk.

“He’s a smart horse and is a true athlete. He has guts, is careful and has a willingness to jump. He is the total package – he has everything you wish for in a showjumping horse. This horse has made my career. I’ve never had a horse as competitive at 3* and 4* level as him. He changed a lot for us and I’m honoured to have a horse like him in my life.”