Junior Rider Esmee Donkers did the Dutch nation proud at the 2015 CDI-W Odense on 9 - 18 October 2015 by taking out the hat trick to win the Junior Team, Individual and Kur tests with 72.162%, 71.009%, and 74.542%. Three trophies and top scores certainly made the trek from the Netherlands to Denmark worthwhile.
“We had a great weekend in Odense and I never expected to win on all three days at this competition," said Esmee. “All the scores were higher than 70% so that was really great!”
Esmee and her 11-year old Dutch warmblood mare Zaffier (by Painted Black) were on form. Donkers said her mare was fantastic in all three tests, adding that it was a good experience for the two of them to be in the arena and get rewarded for all their hard work.
"Zaffier is a very active and hard working horse. During the CDI she was very nice in the stables, but a little bit more stressed in the main arena on the first Thursday," Donkers explained. "After a good training session she became much calmer and by the first test she knew that she had my trust and so that made it a lot better.”
With some rather cold and rainy weather at the start of the show, the organisation tried their best to keep the water away from the stables, and luckily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the weather was a lot better. The competition took place indoors as Odense was the first indoor CDI in the north of Europe for the autumn of 2015.
“I’m also training some young horses at my home stable in the Netherlands, but Zaffier is my priority at the moment," said Donkers, who is coached by Dutch Grand Prix rider Margo Timmermans.
The 17-year old Esmee is in her senior year at high school (HAVO) and aims for a professional dressage career.
“If I have the chance to compete in dressage professionally, I will. For 2016 I hope to be selected for the European Junior Championships," she said.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Ridehesten
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Scores: 2015 CDI-W Odense
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