Nekeman and Kooijman Win First Leg of 2014 KNHS CHIO Cup in Roosendaal

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2014 KNHS CHIO Cup

Junior rider Jeanine Nekeman and young rider Stephanie Kooijman became the winners at the first leg of the 2014 KNHS CHIO Cup for Dutch Junior and Young Riders, held at equestrian centre Den Goubergh in Roosendaal, The Netherlands, on Sunday 16 February 2014. Thirty-two junior and 28 young riders competed in Roosendaal. The CHIO Cup competitions are Dutch observation trials for team selection.

It was a tough fight in the junior division in which the top four ranked riders stayed closely together. Jeanine Nekeman and her elegant bright bay Vlingh (by Flemmingh) topped the leader board with 70.36%, but Lotte Meulendijks and the powerful black Ohio (by Indoctro) were on their heels finishing second with 69.91%. Rosalie Bos and her bay mare Bolita (by Uptown) landed third place with 69.77%.

Judge Vivian Lindemann commented on the top riders: "there was a very strong top group in which the differences were minimal. The differences between the winner and the fourth placed Jasmien de Koeyer was less than two percent. I preferred the total picture in the movements that count double more with Lotte Meulendijks and Ohio, who finished second, than with Nekeman." Lindemann added that Nekeman stood out with a fault-free test in which the contact, self carriage and flying changes were the strong points.

Professional young rider Stephanie Kooijman and her black gelding Winston (by OO Seven) made experience count and aced the class with 74.47%. Kooijman is an assistant trainer at Dutch team trainer Tineke Bartels' yard in Hooge Mierde. Anne Meulendijks and her bright bay gelding Avanti (by United) were in second place with 72.28%. Meulendijks recently picked up training again with her former pony coach, Tommie Visser, while she focuses on her studies in college and combines these duties with regular training sessions with coach Tineke Bartels. Leunis van Lieren's student Jeanine Nieuwenhuis and the dark bay gelding Baldacci (by Havidoff) slotted in third with 71.45%.

Judge Jan Wolfs praised the winner. "That was a very secure test in which the horse showed a good contact the entire ride. The movements were excellently ridden and you can see that they are a very experienced pair. The highlights were the trot movements, in which the extensions and traversal movements were strongly executed." Wolfs praised Meulendijks' Avantie for his expression and ability to stay collected throughout the test. "The trot exercises were the strongest. In canter there could be a bit more ease in the execution of the movements," Wolfs added.

Results - 2014 KNHS CHIO Cup Qualifier - Roosendaal

Junior Riders

1. Jeanine Nekeman - Vlingh - 70.36%
2. Lotte Meulendijks - Mdh Ohio - 69.91%
3. Rosalie Bos - Bolita - 69.77%

Young Riders

1. Stephanie Kooijman - Winston - 74.47%
2. Anne Meulendijks - Avanti - 72.28%
3. Jeanine Nieuwenhuis - Baldacci - 71.45%