Holland's Lisanne Zoutendijk's and the 2012 European Pony Champion Champ of Class were on top in the team and kur tests in the pony division at the 2013 CDI-PJYR Roosendaal on 3 - 5 May 2013, but the pony spooked in the individual. Overall the Dutch pony rider was extremely happy with her CDI performance.
"All my tests, except for one, went very well," said Lisanne. "In the individual test Champ of Class was scared of a garbage bag which was stuck in the hedge along the arena. Because of that, sadly, three exercises went completely wrong."
Her highlight was her freestyle on the final day of competition, for which the pair scored an outstanding 77.750%, well above team mates Kaylee Gouda on 73.708% and Febe van Zwambagt on 72.708%. "One of the judges even gave us an 80.5%," she said proudly.
Suited to his name her pony, Champ of Class is a 9 year-old Rhinelander gelding by Champion de Luxe. "Champ of Class is a little stubborn and likes to get a lot of attention," said Zoutendijk.
Entering the arena with two ponies, Lisanne can also count on her more mature pony, the 19-year old NRPS Kostendrukkers Amaretto, which also did very well, finishing 6th in the team test, 2nd in the individual and claiming victory in the consolidation final with 67.397%. "Kostendrukkers Amaretto really wants to work hard for you and is super nice," she said.
A particularly important competition for Lisanne and her Dutch team mates, Roosendaal was classed as an observation competition to see who should earn a spot in the Dutch pony team. "The observation test selected was the team test and I'm happy that I won this competition with Champ of Class and finished sixth with Amaretto. I felt that in Roosendaal everything went according to plan and we could do our trainings at the showground very well and were granted enough opportunities to train well."
Training a few times a week at Coby van Baalen's stable near home, Lisanne has Jeroen Okkema as home trainer. She is currently working between 3 and 4 horses each day.
"Besides Champ and Amaretto I am riding Oosteind's Rocco (by Anjershof Rocky). He is 15 years of age and a very pretty pony. Also, I occasionally ride my mother’s horse, Ringo Star (by Riccione). He is 9 years of age and I ride him in the Dutch Junior competitions," she explained.
Continuing her training at home and with Olympian Coby, Lisanne is of course trying to earn herself a place in the Dutch team for the all important European Pony Championships in Arezzo, Italy, and with Roosendaal under her belt she is already one step closer.
Text by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Astrid Appels
Eurodressage photographer Astrid Appels took photos of all combinations competing at the CDI Roosendaal. Contact us if you are interested in prints of your photos!
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