Taking to the Under 25 stage last year, US youngster Mackinzie Pooley made her European this month at the 2014 CDIO Rotterdam a week ago on 18 - 22 June 2014. With a 6th in the Intermediaire II on 66.053% and a 12th in the Short Grand Prix on 61.953%, the 21-year old Californian was stoked with her introduction to dressage on the other side of the globe.
“For my first European competition I was pleased,” Mackinzie told Eurodressage. “Horses are horses and you can never expect how it is going to end up. I made many unfortunate mistakes both days but that is exactly why I am here, to learn at the top level and hopefully not make those mistakes in the future. My horse was a trooper and gave me his all both days even when he was a little tired. To be able to be apart of the US at my age and learn from veterans of the sport was a very special experience that I will always remember.”
Mackinzie made the journey to Europe with 17-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Partous (by Juventus). Her U25 Grand Prix mount is a horse with all kinds of personality and heart. “He keeps me on my toes in his prime age and always laughing," she said. Mackinzie’s aim is to improve the canter work, particularly as in Rotterdam she struggled with mistakes in the changes and pirouettes, but felt that her trot/ piaffe/passage work was amazing.
Pooley already described her European stay as an awesome experience and she feels fortunate to be over here competing in the young riders' Grand Prix.
“I have really enjoyed watching the training at home as well as traveling to many horse shows and watching the top riders. I feel as if I have learned so much in such a short time from just being really present in the moment and trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible from these great people."
In Europe until the end of July, Mackinzie will continue her training in Voerde, Germany, with Johann Hinnemann, who she says is such an amazing teacher.
“In my few lessons with him I feel that my horse and I have grown in great amounts," she stated. "He has by far one of the best eyes on the ground that I have ever seen. I can't wait to continue riding with him for the next couple of weeks and learning as much as possible."
Mackinzie feels very fortunate that Hinnemann allowed her to come into his barn, and is really lucky that with the help of David Wightman, she make the most of this amazing experience.
“Fellow Americans, Brian Hafner and Kathleen Raine, are also at the stable and I was able to go to Jo's because of David Wightman and Kathleen Raine, who have worked with him for many years and were kind enough to bring me this opportunity. It’s always a little scary going into a new stable at the beginning, but everyone was very welcoming and helpful, and I think the best thing to do in any situation is just be yourself. They are all really great and even let us travel to shows with them, that way we can see German horse shows in their entirety."
With her home trainer David Wightman by her side, was also trained by Jo, there is no culture shock in the training system being in Europe.
“The best day at the stable so far would have to have been this past week. I know that is longer than a day but it’s been great settling into a routine after Rotterdam," she said. "My horse seems so happy and refreshed. In just two days of lessons I feel as if we are making leaps and bounds and I look forward to the rest of my time here. If given the opportunity again I would love to come back here as it is really starting to feel like a home away from home in Germany. The people are fantastic and my horse loves it here!”
A senior in Business Marketing at the University of San Diego, Mackinzie hopes to finish up this summer break in Europe showing in Falsterbo in two weeks and head home to the US to work on getting her other horses ready for the year-end Championships. “I also hope to move with Partous into the big Tour at the start of next year," she added.
Text by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Scores: 2014 CDIO Rotterdam
Cornelissen Wins 2014 CDIO Rotterdam Grand Prix By a Nose Length
Mackinzie Pooley Combining College with Competing Professor Partous