Arl Sisters on Form in Euro Invitational at 2013 CDN Maastricht

Shows

2013 CDN Maastricht

The Arl sisters Lavinia and Antonia proved to be on form for the winter show circuit, sweeping the board in the euro-invitational national dressage classes at the 2013 CDN Maastricht. After a two year absence from the show calender, Jumping Indoor Maastricht (JIM) returned with a CSI, an FEI pony and junior level freestyle and a Grand Prix Knock-Out exhibition.

Belgian pony rider Antonia Arl and her junior rider sister Lavinia live a stone's throw away from Maastricht, The Netherlands, across to border in Lanaken, Belgium. They shared their home town with JIM event organizer and FEI Dressage Committee director Frank Kemperman. The Belgian ladies were a force to be reckoned at the show as they won the freestyle classes with whopping scores leaving all competition far behind them.

The 13-year old Antonia successfully took over the ride on her sister's pony Equestricons Epiascer (by Ten Ankers Jerolianca x Large River Cleopas) after the 2013 European Pony Championships in July. After achieving her A-team scores of 70% + at three national shows, Antonia was ready for the leap abroad. The 13-year old student got her feet wet first at the international invitational in Beek. In the Euregio Cup in Maastricht the new pair proved to stand firm against seasoned competitors and claim highest honour with 74.000%.

"It was very exciting because it was the first time I rode a freestyle with Epiascer," said Antonia about her inaugural victory abroad. "It was fantastic to compete in such an indoor arena. I had a great feeling during the test. He got a bit hot in canter and I learnt much from the experience. I felt honoured to be invited to ride in Maastricht."

Lavinia Arl and Equestricons Next One win the Z2-level Kur in Maastricht The runner up in the pony kur was Belgian Elle Peytier aboard the black Rhinelander bred Valentino (by Dornik Double x Power Star B), which is also owned by Antonia's father Jochem Arl. Peytier and her dashing pony posted a score of 71.542% to finish second. Dutch Celine Jeurissen and her palomino Donnertraum (by Donnerwetter x Nurejew) were third with 69.167%.

The 15-year old Lavinia Arl has made the definite transition to junior riders' level over the summer, despite having one year left in ponies. Partnered with the Westfalian bred Equestricons Next One (by Florestan x Parademarsch) Lavinia has gelled into a real combination and is ready to move on to the next level in her dressage career.

In Maastricht she made experience count and rode a very controlled and expressive freestyle with highlights in trot. They scored a winning 75.750% in a mixed field of senior and junior riders that all rode a kur at Dutch Z2-level, equavalent to junior riders' level. Fieke Houwen and the tall black Dutch bred Be Special (by Special D) were second with 72.792% followed by Dutch reserve junior team rider Rosalie Bos with Bolita (by Uptown) on 72.792%.

For Lavinia the transition to horses has co-incided with an increased professionalization of her career. While committed to getting good grades in school, the ambitious rider does not refrain from dreaming big. Aboard her father's internationally competed Don't Forget (by De Niro), the 15-year old made her Grand Prix debut with a guest rider's license in Germany at the intimite indoor show at the Ankum Dressage Club three weeks ago. She will continue to have fun with the Grand Prix in Ankum during the shows in January and February. In her spring break, Lavinia hopes to jump the puddle on a Californian adventure. She will get the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest dressage riders in the world, Steffen Peters, for two weeks.