I was very much looking forward to the CDIO-PJYR Moorsele, which took place on 20 - 24 May 2010. The weather forecast was absolutely perfect: sunny, 24° and not a rain cloud in sight. Last year I took gorgeous photos at the CDI-PJYR Moorsele in May as well as at the European Pony Championships which were also hosted at the Zilveren Spoor Equestrian Facility, but when I arrived on the scene I was a bit in shock.
What had they done to the arenas? Of course for spectators there was nothing to worry about for photographers it was a nighmare. Big high stemmed plants were put next to each pedestal. Photographing on the long side was virtually made impossible without having a big plant in front of the horse's legs. Furthermore, the otherwise gorgeous main arena with beautiful high poplar trees in the back ground was now being blemished by hideous white screens which separated the show ring from the 10-minute warm up ring (see video on the right). I decided to shoot the riders in the second arena as the main ring was so difficult, but after one rider there, I returned to the main ring, gave it a try there.. and then decided that the second ring was maybe a tad bit better, but in the end it was "choosing between pest and cholera," as we would say in Dutch.
Anna-Lisa Theila and Desmond Win CDI-P Pony Team Test
So for the morning program I settled for the CDI Pony Team Championship Test in the second ring, which is behind the main building and overlooks huge fields of grass and has a small rural village and church steeple sticking out in the backdrop. The German Anna-Lisa Theila and her 6-year old palomino German Reitpony Desmond (by Dornik B x Power Boy) won the test with 70.926%. Desmond has much movement potential and scope, but he struggled to find a clear rhythm in the trot extensions in which he became slightly wide behind. The canter was well regulated and in walk Desmond showed good overtrack.
Dutch Dana van Lierop finished second with her second FEI pony Wengelo's Ricardo. The Welsh licensed pony stallion by Coelenhage's Purioso has excellent gaits with nice knee action and though he is skilfully ridden by the experienced Van Lierop, he always gives a sour expression, often opening his mouth or being restless with his lips. The 14-year old Dana executed all movements with much pression, but the pony could have more natural willingness to go forward. The first trot extension was very conservative and Van Lierop continuously had to motivate her pony with leg aids. In canter Ricardo has good uphill score and is ground covering. The pair scored 70.463%
The third rider to go in the class finished third in the ranking: Laila Smits on the former Dutch team pony Oosteinds Rocco (by Anjershof Rocky). This combination received 67.778% from the judges, but I'm unable to comment on the ride as I missed her while running from one ring to the other early in the morning.
After half an hour of shooting, I got accustomed to working my way round the jungle of plants and was able to capture very nice photos of all pony riders. A pair worth mentioning was French Victoria Saint-Cast on Dragon Heart. In previous years, the young rider struggled to score high with her young pony stallion internationally, but both seem to have come of age this year. The soon to be 16-year old Saint Cast showed incredible improvement on her FS Don't Worry offspring. Everything looked more easy, aids were invisible and the rider clearly had more control over her pony. Only the canter-walk transitions lacked impulsion and the pony should have stayed more uphill in the frame as he was regularly tipping behind the vertical. They scored 66.852% to finish sixth.
Lunch and Young Riders in a Haste
There was only a 20-minute lunch break for us, poor photographer (Leanjo de Koster of Digishots.nl was my partner in crime in Moorsele) I gobbled down almost a full plate of spaghetti and regretted eating so much the minute I finished it because the pasta kept turning in my stomach like laundry in a washing machine.
The CDI Young Riders team test took place in the main arena and I decided to shoot as many riders as I could before walking to ring 2 for the CDI Junior Riders team test. In the afternoon I stood at the short side at C and was quite impressed to have found the perfect angle for circumventing the nursery of plants and the white boarding on the side. This was the spot I would go for the next day for the CDIO Pony Team test. While dividing my time between shooting young riders and chatting with passers-by, I almost lost track of time and had to hurry to ring 2 for the juniors.
Marina Mattson and Beckham Ace the Junior Team Test
I would really have regretted missing the first rider to go in the junior team test, because she turned out to have one of the most talented horses of the show. Dutch Stephanie Kooijman opened the test with the huge black 7-year old KWPN gelding Winston (by OO Seven x Cocktail). The black has incredible gaits but there still were a few mistakes in the ride here and there. The pair, which is trained by Dominique Filion, scored 66,486% and finished 6th. Kooijman also ranked fifth with her other horse, the 8-year old stallion Ulysse (by Jazz x Rouletto).
The winner of the class was the super talented Swedish pony and junior rider Marina Mattson. Coached by Swedish multiple Grand Prix champion Jan Brink and her mother Lottie Mattson, Marina has a very talented horse in the Swedish warmblood Beckham (by Bernstein). The chestnut is super sensitive, which shows in his refined presentation and good execution of all the exercises, but Mattson has to stay on guard with him. The proof of the pudding is in the eating: during the award ceremony Beckham spooked and instead of turning round, he dangerously launched himself vertically into the air, rearing. The combination won the test with a 70.360% ride.
Dutch Anne Meulendijks finished second on the licensed KWPN stallion Ohio. Anne's parents only recently acquired this Grand Prix level trained stallion and have clearly hit the bull's eye with him. The past two months, Meulendijks has been on a winning streak and outflanked more experienced, confirmed Dutch junior rider team members. Anne and Ohio had an almost fault-free round until the end, when Ohio made an unscripted flying change after the extended canter. The pair scored 69.640%.
Awards and Schooling Sessions
The CDI Junior Riders Team Test finished almost synchronously with the young riders' one. A lavish award ceremony followed in which the over-enthusiastic announcer Dominique Rimanque blared the names of the placed riders through the microphone as if each of them were reaching 180 in a darts tournament. After the deafening award ceremony was over, the riders were allowed to school in the main ring. It was still warm outside, it was a fun moment to grab a chair and sit near to ring watching these youth riders train in the setting sun.
I had dinner with a few Belgian riders and parents in the cafeteria before heading to my favourite local Bed & Breakfast. I stayed there last year for the European Pony Championships and the place is absoutely delightful (no I'm not mentioning the name, otherwise it will be fully booked the next time).
It has only three rooms in the B&B, which is a small chapel in a rural town right near Moorsele. The bath is made out of copper, the shower is installed in a niche which was intended for a religious life-size statue. And the bed is so nice and soft! Absolutely brilliant.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I was overzealous and aimed to prepare photos and an article that same night to upload on Eurodressage straight away, but I felt asleep behind my computer while organizing pictures. Sorry.
Text, photos and video © Astrid Appels
Related Link: Scores 2010 CDIO-PJYR Moorsele