Heijkoop and Van Baalen Win the 2014 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships

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2014 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships

Danielle Heijkoop and Marlies van Baalen became the grand winners of the FEI level classes at the 2014 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships held in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on 1 - 2 March 2014. Heijkoop dominated the small tour aboard her young star Badari, while Marlies van Baalen made a successful come back on Miciano to claim the indoor title.

Dutch European Championship team rider Daniëlle Heijkoop also proved form on her small tour horse, the 8-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Badari (by Gribaldi). The Rotterdam based rider bested the Prix St Georges with 73.38% as well as the Inter I Kur with 77.71%. She stayed far ahead of all competition and scored an average 3% higher (75.55%) than silver medalist Marlies van Baalen on Ratzinger (by Ricardos) with her total of 72.56%. Van Baalen posted a 70.44% and a 74.67%. The bronze medal went to Patrick van der Meer on Floris van de Helle (by Fiderhit) with a 72.04% average.

"It was only the second time that we rode the kur and there are quite a few risks in the transitions," winner Danielle Heijkoop explained. "Like the pirouettes right after the extended canter, but Badari can do them easily. Now we will slowly work on the transition to Grand Prix. Slowly, I'm not in a hurry."

Marlies van Baalen and Miciano win the 2014 Dutch Indoor Grand Prix Championships Marlies van Baalen recently brought back her top Grand Prix horse Miciano (by Medici) to fitness after an almost one-year break due to chip surgery. Van Baalen and her hot chestnut won the Grand Prix with 70.80% and the Kur to Music with 75.58%. Her overall score of 73.19% placed her at the top of the podium well ahead of second placed Johan Rocks on Verdi de la Fazenda (by Florett As). Rockx achieved 67.57% in the Grand Prix and 71.58% in the Kur to average 69.58%. The bronze went to Patrick van der Meer on his rising Grand Prix horse Zippo (by Rousseau) with an overall score of 69.24%.

"Miciano really did his best, like always," said an ecstatic Van Baalen. "When I went into the ring, I immediately felt it would go smoothly. It was a flowing, clean test." Marlies rode a Joost Peeters' arranged freestyle. "I get totally happing listening to this music. As soon as I hear the first tones I'm up for it!"

Photos © Digishots

Results - 2014 Dutch Indoor Dressage Championships

Small Tour

1. Danielle Heijkoop - Badari - 73.38 - 77.71 --- 75.55
2. Marlies van Baalen - Ratzinger - 70.44 - 74.67 --- 72.56
3. Patrick van der Meer - Floris van de Helle - 71.58 - 72.50 --- 72.56
4. Femke Beljon - Zoraida - 70.39 - 72.67 --- 71.53
5. Jeanine Nieuwenhuis - Baldacci - 70.75 - 71.63 --- 71.19
6. Dinja van Liere - Adonie - 69.61 - 70.42 --- 70.02
7. Joyce Lenaerts - Show Boy - 69.39 - 70.63 ---- 70.01
8. Christa Larmoyeur - Aston Martin - 70.92 - 68.88 --- 69.90
9. Florentine Rootveld - Up Seven - 70.09 - 69.00 --- 69.55
10. Sheela van Bregt - Zwetcher - 69.56 - 69.00 --- 69.28

Big Tour

1. Marlies van Baalen - Miciano - 70.70 - 75.58 --- 73.19
2. Johan Rockx - Verdi de la Fazenda - 67.57 - 71.58 --- 69.58
3. Patrick van der Meer - Zippo - 66.10 - 72.38 --- 69.24
4. Marjan van der Jagt - Radetzky - 65.63 - 66.46 --- 66.05
5. Aat van Essen - Sebastiaan - 65.53 - 66.21 ---- 65.87
6. Marije de Lange - Paolo - 64.70 - 66.42 ---- 65.56
7. Sandra Steenman - Paso Doble - 64.67 - 65.38 ---- 65.03
8. Derk Schekkerman - Ucola - 65.07 - 64.08 --- 64.58