It was a case of triple Dutch young lady defiance at the 2013 CDI Roosendaal Indoor on 4 - 8 December 2013 with three of Holland’s young talents -- Stephanie Kooijman, Jeanine Nieuwenhuis and Anne Meulendijks -- making the most of their home ground advantage to take out the gold, silver and bronze spots in the team, individual and kur tests.
Golden girl with the stand out scores of 74.605% in the team test, 74.868% in the individual, and 78.000% in a winning kur was the 20-year old Stephanie Kooijman aboard Winston, her 10-year old gelding by OO-Seven x Cocktail. With just one year left at young rider level they are determined to train hard in 2014 to be ready for their transition into the big league.
“I am working as a stable rider at the Academy Bartels run by Tinke Bartels and Imke Schellekens-Bartels and I am lucky that the personality of my horse is just amazing," said the frank Kooijman. "He is a great horse and he is always nice in the tests and never gets scared of anything!"
Really happy with her performance in Roosendaal, Stephanie told Eurodressage that as it was the first competition for the horse after a short break post-European and Dutch Championships. She is particularly happy that he did a really good job. “The first test was a little bit difficult but the second day was much easier and in the freestyle he was amazing," she said. "I was really proud of him and what he did after his holiday.”
Stephanie credited this new indoor CDI for being a well run international competition with nice people and great organization. The youth riders also got the chance to get a glimpse of all the different levels; Grand Prix, Small Tour, U25. Kooijman is now set now for a stellar 2014 and she hopes to be part of the competitions again for the Dutch team selection for the European Championships.
Placing second in the team and individual tests with 71.404% and 71.798%, Jeanine Nieuwenhuis ranked sixth in the kur with 68.583%. The experienced Dutch team rider feels she was blessed with a “super round” of competition". The 18-year old and her 7-year old, Hexagons Baldacci (by Havidoff x Rubiquil) really pushed themselves to a higher level.
“The highlight for me was the individual test because not only could I really show him off, he also gave me a really good feeling throughout the entire test," said Nieuwenhuis. "He is a very nice horse for me, very willing to work. He really is my buddy!”
Appreciateing Roosendaal for its very friendly, yet competitive atmosphere, Jeanine was delighted to be up amongst the more seasoned young riders like Stephanie Kooijman and Anne Meulendijks, particularly as this was only her and Baldacci's fifth ever young rider test. Jeanine is trained by Tamar Zweistra at the equestrian stable Hexagon, but also works with coach Tineke Bartels who is helping her a lot on improving her horse and her riding technique.
Third in the team and individual test with 69.781% and 69.868%, 20-year old Anne Meulendijks and the 8-year old gelding Avanti (by United x Farrington) rose to take second place in the kur on 76.333%. Meulendijks feels that after her European Championship break it was a great way to prepare for the 2014 season.
“It was one of my fist competitions after the European Championships so Avanti was a little tense and some mistakes arose," said Anne. "However the last day he was a lot better with no mistakes and we were able to perform a kur with many beautiful pieces. Overall, it was a good competition and we gained lots of great experience.”
Anne told Eurodressage that the bright bay gelding Aventi, her horse of two years, is young but already had a very good attitude. He is by far her favourite horse. “Next year I hope to take part in the European Championships again with Avanti and continue my training with Nicolette van Leeuwen and Tineke Bartels," she stated.
by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Astrid Appels - Eurodressage was on the scene taking pictures of all pony riders, young riders and U25 riders at the CDI Roosendaal. Contact us for prints.
Related Link
Scores 2013 CDI Roosendaal Indoor