Swedish Emilie Nyreröd and her 16-year old Miata (by Lancado x Grasco) were the winners in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix kur at the 2015 CDI Vestfold on 16 - 22 February 2015. Scoring 68.240% and 71.750%, Nyrerod claimed two trophies at the Arctic Equestrian Games. However Norway’s Catherine Lorentzen Lund rose up to take the Special with 64.961% and Siril Helljesen claimed triple victory in the small tour.
“Miata felt very good,” Emilie told Eurodressage. “Particularly as this was the first competition for the season! While he was a bit tense in the Grand Prix we still managed to pull off a good test without mistakes and in the freestyle he was more relaxed, and I had a very good feeling throughout the entire test!”
Making the long trip down to Vesthold, Norway, from Sweden (500km plus a ferry ride), Emilie says Miata has no issues with the long trips, mainly because the pair often travel for 7-8 hours to competitions in Sweden.
“Miata is a good traveler and he's always fresh and sound on his arrival," she added.
Nyrerod has been training Miata for three and a half years and Emilie first competed him in the Under 25’s. Now in the seniors, Nyrerod and Miata really come into their own, especially when the horse is relaxed.
“He is a very energetic and sensitive horse with lot of power and forward going movement. When I manage to have him relaxed he's lovely to ride," she said.
Trained by Marianne Esseen in Strömsholm, Emilie hopes to get over 70 % in international Grand Prix classes and does not know yet where she will compete abroad. For now has her sights set on Falsterbo in Sweden!
Lorentzen Lund Wins the Special
Local girl Catharina Lorentzen Lund was the winner in the Grand Prix Special. Aboard her 15-year old Swedish warmblood Helios (by Bolero x Chirlon), Lorentzen Lund has to deal with a lot of tension on the first day, but got him more relaxed for the Special.
“It felt good to ride him in the Grand Prix Special,” Catharina told Eurodressage. “It was the first time I rode the Special and the first time we have competed internationally in Grand Prix."
While Catharine knows they still have a lot to learn and improve, she is certain they can do even better, particularly as she has only had Helios since September this year.
“He has an incredible amount of mechanics and has a lot in him, so I know we shall learn to really know each other," she said.
Borrowing Helios from his owner Mette Ono Njøten, Catharina is very grateful for this opportunity. She gets help from her mother/coach Connie Carine Lorentzen.
“i have also trained with Ulrik Sørensen since I was 11 years old. I am also lucky to train at Tanun in Oslo as it is one of Norway's best dressage stables and has many talented riders and horses," she explained. "My plan for 2015 is to get better so we can come up higher in our percentages. I'd like to ride EM and U25 at the Nordic Baltic Championships. I will also ride several international competitions this year.”
Helljesen Climbs to Spot One in Small Tour at Vestfold
Winning the Prix St Georges, Intermediaire I and Intermediaire I kur with 71.184%, 72.763%, and 74.600%, Siril Helljesen and her 9-year old Hanoverian Rosenstolz (by Rotspon x De Niro x Caprimond) have improved their act since last year's Vestfold appearance, where they finished second and third in the small tour. Now a clear winner in all three rounds, Siril says Rosenstolz has strengthened up a lot since their last show in October.
“Since the last show where we also took the hattrick he has improved his marks in the canter tour in particular,” said Siril. “He is a big mover with a lot of presence when he enters the arena. He has lovely natural lightness and elasticity and now starts to grow in strength, not just size. He has come so much more together and I really felt this at the show.”
With more to develop and improve, Siril is just so happy to see the progress he is showing and is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
“My fiancee and I bought a farm in December 2014 and we are now building our own training stables. Meanwhile I keep my horses and my clients horses at the old stable. Our new yard is 45 min south of Oslo close to the Swedish border."
Helljesen aims to take two of her small tour horses up to Grand Prix level this year.
"Rosenstolz will compete at a few CDIs at Small tour level, while I continue the training towards Grand Prix. I've decided not to push him but let him grow into the Grand Prix as he is definitely a horse worth waiting for. My pupils in the junior teams also keep me busy, so it's going to be a busy 2015," she stated.
Photos courtesy Ada Vrolijk/AEG2015
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