Fresh off her Grand Prix Special victory and personal best score at the 2014 CDI Mechelen, Belgian WEG team rider Julie de Deken has more reason to celebrate as Dutch saddlery Kingsley has signed her as ambassador and sponsored rider. Julie joins a team of six highly talented international riders that receive support from Monica Koole's company Kingsley Saddles.
"I'm honoured that Mrs Koole believes in my talent, skill and expertise as a dressage rider and has decided to support me with her fantastic saddles," De Deken commented. "Monica is a visionary and supports a lovely group of young talented riders. With her support she enables us to work smoothly on our way to the top as Kingsley brand amabassadors. To me it's a pleasure to promote her saddles through my riding as well as her beautiful riding clothes and tack at shows and at home."
Kingsley is a new innovative Dutch brand in dressage and show jumping tack for horses and ponies made from exclusive, high-quality materials. Kingsley saddles are made with the utmost precision using artisan techniques based on extensive tests. The horse's freedom of movement is significantly greater with a Kingsley saddle, which can be entirely custom made to the client's wishes.
Kingsley also desigs elegant bridles which are gentle for the anatomy of the horse. To improve the fit of any saddle, Kingsley further offers revolutionary saddle pads, which relieve the pressure from the saddle. These breathable, lightweight pads absorb shocks and are developed using extensive pressure measurement techniques. All of the Kingsley products can be discovered at the Koole Ruitershop in Bergen, The Netherlands, or online at kooleruitersport.nl
The 29-year old Nijlen (BEL) based Julie de Deken has made a stellar rise on the Belgian show circuit after a successful transition from Under 25 Grand Prix level to the senior division in 2012. With her now 13-year old Hessian licensed stallion Lucky Dance (by Lucky Lionell x Placido Sun) she has been a member of the Belgian team at the 2013 European Championships in Herning and 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen.
After a rather disappointing performance in Caen, De Deken went back to the drawing board and made a few changes in her training, that have paid off quickly. She started working with Spanish piaffe expert Agusti Elias and mentally she has decided to put less pressure on herself each time she goes on the centerline.
"You have to try to have fun in everything you do and enjoy what you are doing," De Deken explained. "I have the feeling that Lucky made a similar click. Not technically has he improved, but in Mechelen I really noticed that he was taking the lead and telling me, 'come on girl, let's make the best of it'. Of course this requires some direction from my part, but having feeling that your horse wants to go forward is incredibly motivating."
Julie is looking forward to the 2015 show season and has set the European Dressage Championships in Aachen as her goal. Aboard Kingsley Lucky Dance she hopes to reach new heights and improve even further on her personal best scores.
www.kingsleysaddles.com - www.kingsleypads.com - www.kooleruitersport.nl
Photos © Lena Lottsfeldt - Astrid Appels
Related Links
Julie de Deken and Lucky Dance Sweep Grand Prix Special at 2014 CDI Mechelen
2014 CDIO Aachen, Home Coming Experience for Belgian Julie de Deken
D-Day, New Rising FEI Prospect for Julie De Deken
Julie de Deken and Lucky Dance Show Their Moves at the 2014 CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland