For 18-year old Dutch junior Stephanie Kooijman winning the 2011 CDI-JR Roosendaal was a piece of cake. Aboard her 8-year old powerhouse gelding Winston (by OO Seven x Cocktail x Ulster), which is probably one of the most talented dressage horses on the youth rider's scene, scoring 73.15% in the team test, 74.8% in the individual and 77.000% in the Kur was easy-breezy business. Kooijman, who celebrated her 18th birthday on 6 May at the show, was totally in charge and left all competitions leagues behind her.
Trained by Dutch junior riders chef d'equipe Tineke Bartels, Kooijman was ecstatic about her triple victory. "The last few weeks we've trained hard. Together with Imke and Tineke we've worked on the details. Before I worked at the Bartels' Academy I trained regularly but most of the time on my own. I notice that I'm making great progress on the small things. Winston was really great to ride each day."
A variety of riders tried to find connection with the top and over the course of three days different riders ranked in the top three. Pony rider Dana van Lierop is gaining her first show experience aboard a warmblood horse and finished second in the team test on DJ Tiesto (by Rohdiamant) with 69.86%. Anne Meulendijks and her Grand Prix schoolmaster Ohio (by Indoctro) were third with 69.68%, followed by Luxembourg Michele Thill on the licensed stallion Don Cardinale (by Don Primero) with 68.65%.
In the individual test a different set of riders came into the picture as 2010 Dutch pony team rider Suzanne van de Ven finished second on the Oldenburg mare Donna Gracia (by Donnerschlag x Good Luck). The soon to be 17-year old scored 70.000% aboard her 16-year old liver chestnut Rhinelander mare. Meulendijks was again third with 69.74 but Maxime Osse now moved up to fourth place aboard her 16-year old KWPN bred Navarro (by Jester x Ulft) with 69.56%.
In the Kur to Music finals on Sunday Luxembourgh Michele Thill landed a second place on the black stallion Don Cardinale, who was previously competed at young rider's level by Marrigje van Baalen. The Thill family acquired the stallion at Coby van Baalen's and Michèle regularly trains in Holland for some fine-tuning. She scored 72.960%. Maxime Osse was third with 71.120%.
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - No Reproduction Allowed
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-PJYR Roosendaal
Photo Report: Defalque and Epiascer Find the Groove in the Show Ring at 2011 CDI-P Roosendaal
Photo Report: Triple Win for Young Rider Krooswijk at 2011 CDI-YR Roosendaal