Smashing records and making history at the 2013 CDIO-PJYR Hagen, which ran 13 - 16 June 2013, Germany's Semmieke Rothenberger made her mark as the first ever pony rider to earn scores over 80%. Taking her throne yet again as queen of pony dressage with not one but two, hattrick victories, Semmieke came out victorious in all three tests at both pony CDIO level on Deinhard B and CDI level on Golden Girl.
"In Hagen I did very well," said Semmieke. "Goldi, Deini and I gave our best and had fun and I think the judges realized this."
Starting the CDIO tour with German Riding Pony stallion Deinhard B, Semmieke started with a 79.359% to lead the Germans to victory in the team competition but it was in the individual and kur that they pushed their scores up above a whopping 80%, stealing not only victory but rewriting record history.
"At first when my family told me that I broke the world record, I didn't realize it but slowly I can believe it. It is a wonderful feeling since my mother always already believed that my ponies have the quality to break the 80%."
With an 81.220% in the individual and 83.917% in the kur, the world record holder took the CDI arena on her second pony Golden Girl and after winning the team and individual test with 79.145% and 77.927%, she finished with her third break into the 80's, with 81.208% in the CDI kur riding a brand new Slings Music Cast freestyle. "Before the show we focused our training with both ponies on fine-tuning the test movements and the suppleness to keep the ponies happy."
Not sure yet which pony she will ride at the European Championships, Semmieke feels that both ponies are superb. "Plus, both are able to go over the 80%, she added.
Beginning with ladies first, Semmieke's younger pony of the two, Golden Girl, or Goldi, is an 11 year-old German Riding Pony mare by Don’t Worry x Dancer. "She is just a pleasure to ride. Goldi is very unique, which is what I love about her. Since she is so personalized, not everybody is accepted by her and it took us a while to really connect but now, I think we are a dream-team."
Her older pony Deinhard, or Deini, is a 14 year-old, known as the Barbie pony at the family' stable, because of his shiny appearance. He is a German Riding Pony stallion by Dornik B x Golden Dancer. "Deini always pretends to be very strong and protective but actually he is very soft and sweet. When I enter the stable and he hears my voice, his ears prick, his head lifts and his eyes grow. When he looks at me like that, he is just adorable. He always gives me a welcome feeling."
Trained at home by her Olympian mother and father Gonnelien and Sven Rothenberger-Gordijn, Semmieke also receives occasional help at horse shows from Mr. Scholten and Ms. Endres, who watch on and give helpful tips. "I am not sure if I have a specific training style. Sometimes I go to horse shows with my sister where the famous riders are and then I watch them while they train and I try it with my ponies at home. If it works then I include it in my training but actually it always changes from show to show," said Semmieke. "My mother always says that horses don't have a "chip" to plug in, so that they always are the same but I think that this is the reason why all riders are so motivated. Every rider knows that you can't always do the same since the ponies and horses change all the time. This is what makes dressage so fascinating."
Also currently training her younger mare, Paso Double, Semmieke says she is a wonderful pony, and very fine "She is a lovely project for the future."
With the ultimate goal of keeping all of her ponies and horses fit and to enjoy her future pony endeavors, Semmieke is happy to keep on doing what she does best and not think too much about life after ponies. é"I don't want to think about the end of ponies because I want to enjoy the time I have with them now and I still have three years."
Text by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels - No Reproduction Allowed
Eurodressage photographer Astrid Appels took photos of (almost) all combinations competing at the CDIO-PJYR Hagen. Contact us if you are interested in prints of your photos!
Related Links
Scores 2013 CDIO-PJYR Hagen
German Team Selected for 2013 European Pony Championships