It was a close call that the roof came off on the Frisian evening

The audience was now seated on the steps for the second part of the Frisian evening. The unique thing about Indoor Friesland is that many beautiful equestrian disciplines are given a chance. And of course, this also includes the harnessed sport and the Frisian horses. Four championships were on the program, but much more beautiful things passed by the enthusiastic audience. A report and an impression of the atmosphere. 

Championship Pair of Frisian Breed for the Competition Carriage
It took two groups, a ride over and after many exciting rounds through the beautiful track of Indoor Friesland, the team Durk (by Tsjalle 454) and Wietse (by Thorben 466) of owner and rider Jan Eppinga from Ureterp was declared the winner. The evening had only just begun and the audience was already standing on the benches.

Ladies class Frisian Breed for the Sjees
Old times revived. Beautiful pictures passed us by. The winner of the Ladies class Frisian Breed for the Sjees was Dean fan Wettersicht (by Jouwe 485) owned by v. Dijkhuizen/Griffioen from Follega with rider Setske de Jong. In this section there was also a prize for the most beautiful whole. This honor went to Wikkerdewik fan Hylpen (Thorben 466) owned by Jilles and Marrit de Vries from Hindeloopen with rider Marrit de Vries.

Championship Stallions Friesian breed for the Sjees – MHB Prix
The next part was pure enjoyment. Proud sires passed by the wildly enthusiastic audience. Throats were shouted hoarse to encourage the favorites. The winner was ……. Gosse 526 (by Nane 492) from Jelle Klijnstra from Groningen with rider Radbout Kulsdom.

Frisian Medley with Piter Wilkens and Iris Kroes
In the meantime it was high time for a moment of relaxation for the sympathetic audience. Piter Wilkens and Iris Kroes performed live and sang a real Frisian medley accompanied by four beautiful Frisian trotters ridden bareback.

Open Class Frisian Breed for the Sjees
The next section was a very special one. The horses were just as beautiful and impressive and did their best just as much as in the other sections, but the rider was only seventeen years old! GPD Ward (by Thorben 466) ridden by Jelte Hoekstra and owned by the Friese Kraamstal fan de Fiifhoeke from Sibrandaburen. The youth has the future!

Harness Horse Championship of the North 
Anyone who thought it couldn't get any more enthusiastic and sympathetic was mistaken. The Harness Horse Championship of the North was yet to come. Six harness horses were selected for this championship that had performed exceptionally well at the outdoor competitions in the past year.

The participating harness horses and riders were:

• Heliotroop (by Colonist) with rider Henk Hammers and owner Grietje Naber
• Montreal HBC (by Idol) with rider Derk Jan Mekkes owned by Jan Schep
• Lakei (by Dylano) with rider Richard Hofstra owned by Toon van Doorn
• Ozandro (by Cizandro) with rider and owner Albert ten Berge
• Mondiaal PSH (by Icellie) with rider Marcel Ritsma, owned by Hans and Corrie Pos
• Olivier (v. Image HBC) with rider and owner Nico Calis jr.
• Pronkheer (by Eebert) with rider Mieke ter Schure owned by Hans Benschop

The audience used the applause meter to decide which team they thought should win. The louder the applause, the higher that team would be in the ranking. The audience ranking counted for 50%. The traditional jury result was added to that and those two results together determined the Champion of the North 2024. The clearly happy winner was Heliotroop, fantastically ridden by Henk Hammers.

Award of the Best Frisian National 2024 – Municipality of Leeuwarden Prix
The very last part already. The public could take one more seat. And they were more than happy to do so. Top show jumper Maikel van der Vleuten was added to the jury for the occasion. The fact that he also took this task seriously was evident from the fact that he was present well in advance and had also been an attentive spectator at the previous sections. The last, honourable winner was Gys (v.Tsjalle 454) ridden by Jasper van Manen and owned by the Gebroeders van Manen Ede.

Traditionally, this evening was concluded by another goosebumps moment. The Frisian national anthem, this time sung live by Iris Kroes. All good things come to an end, including this great, old-fashioned Frisian evening. Thanks to everyone for their presence in whatever way and we hope to see you at the next edition at Indoor Friesland 2025.

Photos: Digishots
Text: Marjan de Wildt – Media Team Indoor Friesland