SCHIERMONNIKOOG – The successful film and documentary maker Thom Verheul vanSchiermonnikoog, who has already won several international prizes, closelyfollowed Richard Westerink and his super horse Etonnant for two years and madethe documentary ‘The Successor’.
Verheul followed Westerink (43) from Apeldoorn and traveled with himthroughout Europe. The most successful trotter trainer from the Netherlands iscausing a furore in France – the largest trotting country in the world – withhis top horses that have already won millions in prize money.
The now 8-year-old Etonnant is the biggest talent in his stable. Millions areat stake and Westerink and Etonnant are experiencing all the highs and lows onand off the track. The international rollercoaster in which Westerink islocated eventually led Verheul via Paris to Stockholm. The World SprintChampionship (Elitloppet) was waiting there in May. In Sweden, Etonnant facedthe impossible task of following in the footsteps of his illustrious father(Timoko), with whom Westerink already won the world title twice in the past.
Verheul wins prestigious prize at international film festival
The documentary, which lasts over an hour, won the prestigious award at the40th Milano International FICTS fest in the category Sport Movies & TV 2022,Great Champions. It was the final of 20 festivals around the world of the“World FICTS Challenge” World Championship of Television. During the ceremony,IOC President Thomas Bach spoke to the winners via video link: “Sport andculture are incredibly important for bringing people from all over the worldtogether. The fantastic films and documentaries about sports that receive anaward here today contribute to this in a fantastic way.”
Initiative
ZEturf, the international gaming organization supported by its Swedish partnerATG, and TROTR Media from Joure, made the documentary in which RichardWesterink is followed financially possible. Westerink was also present inMilan: “I am very proud that I was able to participate in this documentary andthus bring the international harness sport to the attention of a largeraudience.”
Olgers & Verheul films, who were able to make the film entirely at their owndiscretion, received the award together with Westerink. “It is a great honorto win this award. I was really allowed to follow Richard everywhere and I gota unique picture of the international harness sport. I didn’t know in advancewhat to expect, but the top sport that Westerink practices has fascinated meincredibly,” said Thom Verheul.
Managing director Paul Klomp of ZEturf thought the award for the ‘TheSuccessor’ in Milan was more than deserved: “Richard Westerink is a realambassador for the international harness sport. He has shown in a disarmed waywhat it takes to be able to perform at the absolute top of the world.” It isnot yet clear where the film will be shown soon, the parties are stilldiscussing this.