Ekaterina Melnik and her Russian warmblood wtallion Indor were the highest scoring pair on the Russian team at the 2015 European Young Riders Championships in Vidauban (FRA) - 1 - 5 July 2015. An unfamiliar face on the Western European show circuit, Melnik drew the crowds to the sideline and put judges at the edge of their seat with her impressive rides on her black stallion.
Melnik and Indor finished 14th in the Team championship Test on 70.026% and lifted to ninth place in the Individual with 71.263%. They rounded off a super Europeans' campaign with a ninth place in the Kur to Music finals with 74.075%.
“I couldn't say that Vidauban was a success,” said a very level-headed and ambitious Ekaterina about her scores in Vidauban. “It was good, but I always want to do it better. I'm glad to see how we our improving on our skills and results and we will continue with this work.”
Melnik's partner in crime is the 14-year old Russian bred Indor. He is by Intrigan out of Dobrianka (by Rumb) and bred at the Starogilovskiy stud, where he worked as a stallion when he was younger.
Indor was first competed internationally by Natalia Prudnikova in 2013 and Melnik took over the ride that same year and competing him first internationally at small tour level at the 2014 CDI-J Moscow in September 2013. She has been the pair to beat on home turf in Russia, clocking victories at the CDI Ryazan, her only international in 2015.
Melnik considered it a great pleasure to be a part of the Russian National Team and competing with her peers together in Vidauban. Ekaterina thinks all the Russians did a great job, in spite of the tremendous heat.
“My horse felt fresh and active despite the 43 degree plus weather," she stated.
Ekaterina says he is now ready for Grand Prix. “Indor is a true athlete. It is always interesting and enjoyable to work with him. This man loves to perform and always does his best. I always have something to learn from him," she said.
Ekaterina bought Indor in Yaroslavl two years ago on the advice of her coaches. She tried him only once and realised immediately that he was the horse meant for her!
“I think it is the same in relationships, a horse and rider must match one another," said Melnik. "He is my friend who never fails. This is a horse of lifetime!”
Coached by Elena Gilfer over the past four years, Ekaterina also receives the help of Inessa Mekulova when she is not too busy with her own competition life.
“I also work with young horses and as next year will be my last year in Young Riders we must start preparing ourselves for the Under 25 classes," she added.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Scores: 2015 European Children Junior Young Riders Championships
Ekaterina Melnik Clear Young Rider Winner at 2014 CDI-JYR Ryazan
2014 CDI Ryazan: Developing Dressage in Russia. An interview with Yuri Kupriyanov
Russian Youth Riders Gain Mileage at the 2014 CDI Vidauban