Winning every single show she entered in the Under 25 division, Jorinde Verwimp decided it was time for a new challenge, stepping into the big league for her first ever senior Grand Prix at the 2015 CDI Roosendaal on 7 - 10 May 2015. With her steady partner Tiamo (by Lester x Hemmingway) she finished second in the Grand Prix and won the Special, beating the establishment.
Verwimp and her 15-year old Dutch warmblood Tiamo (by Lester x Hemmingway) showed few signs of inexperience when they won the Grand Prix Special with 71.118% ahead of Belgium's long time number one Grand Prix rider and WEG team rider Jeroen Devroe.
“Roosendaal is a super nice show,” said the 20-year old Jorinde. “I didn’t expect to win at all and I went to Roosendaal without any expectations.”
Jorinde told Eurodressage that after taking second place in the Grand Prix with 70.080% she still had a few mistakes. The youngster set it as her task to perform a mistake free test in the Special.
“I had never ridden the Grand Prix Special before so it was super exciting. When I saw the score and I was like wow," she admitted.
After an unbreakable string of victories in the Under 25 division, Jorinde decided to test it in the seniors. Her score of 70% in her national Grand Prix debut boosted her confidence and made her decide it was time to leave the Under 25’s behind. Ten months ago, Jorinde won kur bronze at the 2014 European Young Riders Championships.
“Tiamo has a super work ethic and a willing character, so it is great to ride him," she said. "My goal is definitely to compete with him at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen. I'm not sure if it is going to happen but I will do my very best for it.”
With the 2015 CDIO Rotterdam in June up next, Jorinde knows that if she can keep her performance on par with her results in Roosendaal, it should be possible for her to be in the team for Aachen.
“I also have two young rider horses, 10-year old Arie Sollenburg (by Olivi x Ferro) and 10-year old Andretti (by Special D x Sandro Hit) that I compete and train at Anky van Grunsven’s barn," said Jorinde, who is pursuing a professional dressage career. "I also have some more youngsters at home which I hope to compete on in the near future."
by Sarah Warne - Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Scores: 2015 CDI Roosendaal
Verwimp in Charge of U25 Division at 2014 CDI Mechelen
Jorinde Verwimp Named 2014 VLP Talent of the Year