A Multinational Junior Victory at the 2013 CDIO Saumur

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2013 CDIO Saumur

The junior rider division at the 2013 CDIO Saumur on 2 - 5 May 2013 became a multi-national affaire with riders from four different nations winning the trophies in the CDIO and CDI-leg of the competition. British Charlotte Fry, French Salome Sadoun and Belgian Lavinia Arl dominated the CDIO leg, whereas Dutch Marjan Hooge produced a triple crown solo in the CDI leg.

Taking out the CDIO Team Championship Test with a tidy 69.297%, Britain's Charlotte Fry led her nation to victory in the Nations' Cup and capped off her Saumur success with a second place in the individual and a fifth in the kur.

"Making the transition from ponies to juniors last year was made much easier for me because, since I was 12, I have been offered the chance to ride different horses, including Ghandi, who was previously ridden at Grand Prix by my mum Laura Fry," 17-year old Charlotte told Eurodressage. "With Ghandi, I was able to learn all the movements in parallel with the challenge of learning to ride a much bigger horse and I went on to compete him at Prix St Georges level, right up until he retired last year."

Riding internationally and clearly very successfully at Junior level, Charlotte focuses on the fact that every mark matters and thus realizes the importance of accuracy in the arena. That is exactly what she tried to do in Saumur. "The highlight for me was winning the team test and having the British National Anthem played during the prize-giving while I listened from on top of the best horse ever, Remming."

A 15 year-old by Flemmingh, Remming is owned by Mr Connor and was previously ridden by Charlotte's mum until she became ill and passed the horse to her daughter in June of last year. "In the beginning I found taking over the ride very challenging as Remming was used to only being ridden by my mum and it took a few months for him to trust me," said Fry. "However, since then we have built up an amazing partnership and he has an incredible extended canter and is the most powerful horse I have ever ridden."

In her yard since he was a 4 year-old, Remmie has been trained and competed up to intermediaire I by Charlotte's mum. The dark bay was found as a yearling in Holland by Mr Connor and his daughter. "I was so lucky to be given the opportunity to take over the ride on him after my mum passed away and Mr Connor has continually supported me through my riding career."

Fitting in A-Levels with her international riding career is Charlotte's current challenge but she knows that riding comes first every time! "Having an ex-Olympic dressage rider as my mum gave me an amazing start in dressage as I was able to benefit from daily training since the age of 4. My mum was definitely my idol and always will be," she explained.

Now training with Carl Hester, Charlotte tries to get to the dressage star at least once a month and feels that having Carl’s help and support at Saumur really gave her the extra edge. "My aim for this year is to be selected for the Junior European GB Team and hopefully win a medal," she stated.

Sadoun Strikes in the Individual

French youngster Salomé Sadoun turned up the heat in the CDIO-J competition and won the Individual Test with a very nice 71.210%.

Salome Sadoun on Dona Primera "The show in Saumur was amazing," said 17-year old Salome. "The individual test on Saturday was my best performance, as I took more risks in the arena and we made no mistakes. The canter part was very good and my mare was more expressive with more elasticity and really showed the judges what she can do. I'm very proud of my mare."

Making the trip to Saumur with the idea to simply ride good tests, Salome wasn't expecting at all to win. She knows that the whole team was so glad and touched by the success. "It was one of the best moments in my life. I'm very proud of my horse, she is only 7 years-old and it was our first international and only third show together. Furthermore, the atmosphere between all the French riders was great," said Sadoun.

A lady in the ring, Dona Primera is a 7 year-old Oldenburger mare by Don Primero. The dark bay is owned by Salome's trainer, Marina Caplain Saint Andre. "Marina bought her at the age of 4 at the Vechta auction and she competed at the World Championships for young horses in Verden at the age of 5 and finished 4th in the consolation with Guillaume Recoing," Salome explained. "Dona is a lovely mare, who loves and asks for hugs and kisses all the time. She gives everything to her rider. She has an impressive and winning mindset and when she is in the ring she is really focused on her rider. I'm very lucky to ride such a good and talented horse."

Always aiming for more collection, more elasticity, suppleness, all with a nice contact, Salome continues to learn and hopes to work towards more such wins in the future.
"On the weekend we are going to compete in Moorsele in the CDIOJ, and then next we are going to do the international of Compiegne. I hope we will also be at the European Championships held this year in my home country, France!”

Arl On Top in the Kur

Lavinia Arl on Equestricons Next One Belgium's Lavinia Arl triumphed in the kur to music, taking out the musical section with a stand-out 73.425%, after placing second in the team test and fourth in the individual. With her brand new horse junior horse Equestricon's Next One (by Florestan x Parademarsch) Arl is gaining valuable experience in the junior ring this year, while her main focus is on preparing her top pony Epiascer for the 2013 European Pony Championships in Arezzo, Italy.

Lavinia's highlight in Saumur was the CDIO Junior kur on Equestricon's Next One as Lavinia has only had the horse in training for 6 weeks and Saumur was their first international. "It was my first time with a horse, so that's all new for me," said the 15-year old.

Claiming great success in the Saumur CDIO pony division, Lavinia and her 13-year old pony Equestricon's Epiascer (by Ten Ankers Jerolianca), were fourth, second and third in a strong field of competitors, making her Saumur experience even more special. "''Epie'' always wants to do his best and that is what is so lovely about him. He is at home the same as he is in competition," she explained.

Contemplating a definite move to horses at the end of the year, Lavinia has been planning her 2013 show season with Epiascer carefully. She was victorious in two classes at the CDI-P Drachten in January, then headed to Saumur and she is now gearing up for the CDIO-P Moorsele this weekend, followed by the CDI-P Compiegne begin June.

Trained by Carmen De Bondt, Arl knows that the key to success, either on a pony or a horse, is having a strong team behind her. "I have been riding for ten years now and have learnt that it is
important not only that you know your pony very well, but also that you have your
parents standing behind you," she concluded.

Hooge Claims the Triple Crown in CDI-J Saumur

The 16-year old Dutch rider Marjan Hooge claimed the triple crown in the CDI-leg of the junior division, which was far less spread out than the CDIO leg. Hooge was very happy with her first major international victory.

Marjan Hooge and Fulltime in the prize giving ceremony "We have trained my horse Fulltime in everything up to this level and Saumur was our first test to decide what level to remain at with him," says Marjan who was yhe only Dutch junior rider combination on field in Saumur.
"I was very glad with the results and I feel he did a good job there."

Marjan's father bought the 9-year old Oldenburg licensed stallion Fulltime (by Fidermark x Rosenkavalier) in January 2012 from Reini Tewis. "He never did competitons before, only stallion shows, so I started with him in the low levels and within a year he was Z2 (M-level). Since October 2012 I’ve been riding him in Juniors.”

Marjan disclosed that Fulltime needed a lot of training in the beginning but feels the horse is now very stable and goes every day a little better. "I train Fulltime with Annemieke Vincourt. She is a very good trainer for me and she has a lot of experience with stallions. Fulltime had to be corrected in his riding and Annemieke has helped me a lot with this. While he is very easy in his behaviour, he is still a real stallion, a real man, not when I ride him but when you handle him he is!”

Also competing in eventing and showjumping with her sister’s horse, Marjan enjoys very much the jumping side of riding. Dreaming of one day owning her own stable, Marjan has planned to compete at 3 international competitons this year: Pompadour, Biaritz and Achleiten, and then some other competitons in Holland. "Not too many though," she added. "I really hope we can be good enough in 2014 for the Dutch team. In Saumur I earned my first score, so I have just two to go."

by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Rui Pedro Godinho