Belgian Noemie Goris started her trail blazing campaign in the young riders classes during the first week of competition at the 2011 Sunshine Tour CDI, hosted at Equestrian Centre Montenmedio in Vejer de la Frontera, 3 - 6 March 2011. Aboard her new acquisition Ucelli T, Goris won all three young riders tests and was a league of her own.
About one year ago the Goris family acquired Hans Peter Minderhoud's Dutch Small Tour Champion and 2007 reserve World Young Horse Champion Ucelli T (by Olivi x Gribaldi x Raimond) from owners Tuss and Vrijvogel. The dark bay gelding with his powerful gaits was to secure Noemie's gradual transition to Grand Prix level. Her first stop on her path to GP is Young Riders' level. With a few regional shows in Belgium down her belt, the 17-year old travelled to southern Spain to practise the young riders classes at a quiet, international CDI setting.
However, there was nothing quiet about Goris and Ucelli's dashing CDI debut. The combination stormed to the top of the leader board in an impressive way with very strong, accurate riding. Even thought the connection could be slighty steadier and the horse more consistent in the uphill frame, Ucelli's gaits are simply phenomenal. The dark bay gelding moves with such much power and elegance, suspension and expression, that there is little to doubt about the world class potential of this horse.
Goris won the preliminary test with 69.630%, the team championship test with 70.789% and the individual test with 69.342%. Coached on the scene by Carmen de Bondt and her partner Belgian Grand Prix Jeroen Devroe, Noemie claimed three throphies on her first week in Spain.
Following second in the rankings three times was Marta Pena Montaner. The Spanish saddled two horses for the young riders' division and placed second twice with her 9-year old Oldenburg mare Arena (by De Niro) and once with 15-year old black Troyano (by Jailo). Especially Arena (by De Niro) is an absolutely stunning dressage horses. The charming, muscled bay mare has three outstanding basic gaits but proved to be quite a challenge for the rider as Pena Montener was hanging onto the bit for dear life. With a lighter, freer contact Arena would be able to really dazzle in the ring and come closer in points to Ucelli T.
Pena Montaner placed second in the preliminary test with Arena (64.722%), second in the team test with Troyano (63.684%) and second in the individual with Arena (64.737%).
Hattrick for Junior Busutil Canovas
In the junior riders' division one rider also stood out from the pack, winning the three classes of the week. Spanish Andreu Busutil Canovas rode his handsome bay gelding Don Luka, a 10-year old Oldenburg by Don Larino, to 67.500% in the preliminary test, 70.270% in the team test and 68.114% in the individual test. The Palma de Mallorca based rider is trained by Lauro Aguilo and presented Don Luka in an extremely confirmed and relaxed way. The bay gelding was obedient and meticulate in the execution of the movements.
The junior riders' field was more open in the three classes with three different riders placing second each day. In the preliminary test, Eva Maria Calvache Sanchez was second on her Thuringian mare Amazing Grace (by Amelio) with 65.441%. The highlight of their ride was the super ground covering walk. Sonia Ramos Fadrique and the highly talented, impressively moving Belgian warmblood gelding Uxtro van de Vlasbloem (by Camus) scored 65.180% to finish second in the team test, while Portuguese Luis Ferreira was second in the individual test with 66.754 %, riding Maria Caetano's 2009 European Championships horse Diamant. The 19-year old Bavarian gelding by Donnerhall is now a schoolmaster for junior Ferreira.
Cato Hemels in Front in the FEI Pony Tests
Dutch Cato Hemels trailered two ponies to Vejer de la Fontera and has been in a winning mood the past week. Aboard the 8-year old bay gelding Vincent (by Vitano) she won the preliminary test with 62.763% and the individual test with 63.640%. On her second ride, the 9-year old Dutch bred gelding Rubels Jr (by Rubels), she won the team test with 62.870%. Both ponies are not big movers but provide an excellent opportunity for the young pony rider to gain exposure and experience at international competitions.
Hemels' rival in the pony tests was the Spanish Patricia Casado Blazquez who unfortunately could not break the 60% barrier with her cute 11-year old German Reitpony Three Stars Valett (by Dream Valvet). The chesnut mare was extremely distracted by her surroundings and not focused on her rider's aids, especially in the preliminary test. Fortunately the Sunshine tour provides the perfect opportunity to go back in the show ring two more weeks in a row.
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - No Reproduction allowed
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