Belgian Grand Prix team rider Julie de Deken has acquired an exciting new FEI level prospect, the 6-year old Dutch warmblood stallion D-Day (by Vivaldi x Purioso).
"From the first moment I saw him I was in love," said an overjoyed De Deken. "Love at first sight does exist!"
Julie was a member of the Belgian team that competed at the 2013 European Championships in Herning and with her number one horse, the Hessian licensed stallion Lucky Dance (by Lucky Lionell x Placido Sun) she is vying for a team spot for the 2014 World Equestrian Games.
In order to have nice line-up of horses following in Lucky Dance's footsteps, Julie had been on the look out for a talented 6-year old for over a year.
"We finally discovered him in The Netherlands," De Deken explained. "D-Day is so eager to work and very clever. After the second time I had tried him out, I knew I had to have him. We click very well. To my feeling, he is a horse that is always in a good mood, very eager to explore new things and learn."
Julie seems to have an acquired taste for Vivaldi offspring, as D-day is the second son by the highly popular Dutch breeding stallion (by Krack C x Jazz) she has in her barn.
"D-Day is a half brother to my 5-year old Erano (by Vivaldi x Cabochon). Both have fabulous movements and a wonderful character to work with," she added.
On Friday 9 May D-Day arrived in Julie's stable in Westmalle, Belgium, where she trains with yard owner Arjen Teeuwissen alongside Belgian team coach Sjef Janssen. The new pair will take its time to get to know each other.
"First I want him to get acquainted to his new stable and surroundings. After I return from the CDI's in Villach and Kapellen, I will pick up training," she said. "I want to take him to shows just to get used to the competition atmosphere, but I don't plan to compete him until he's Prix St Georges ready. We'll just wait and see how he he develops."
Photos © private - Astrid Appels
Related Links
Julie de Deken and Lucky Dance Show Their Moves at the 2014 CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland
Julie de Deken to Replace Devroe on Belgian Team for 2013 European Championships
Belgian Road to 2014 World Equestrian Games Set