Germans, Belgians and Danes, and a Swedish Sandwich in the Youth Classes at 2024 CDI Lier

The 2024 CDI Lier on 26 February till 3 March 2024 is the first big indoor dressage competition of the year 2024 and the Belgian dressage event boasts an action packed programme with divisions filled to the roof. The first three days of competition were devoted to the youth classes.

Children rider Lilli von Helldorff posted a triple, pony riders Sofia Rosenkilde and Feodora von Roeder battled it, juniors Lilly Marie Collin and Alix von Borries secured trophies for Germany, in the young rider division there was a Swedish sandwich and Under 25 Grand Prix riders Luca Collin and Amber van den Steen had their moments to shine.

Children: Triple for Von Helldorff 

Seven combinations contested the children division: three Germans and four Dutch riders. 

It was a triple win for German Lilli von Helldorff aboard Christina Schmitz-Morkramer's 13-year old Zfdp registered mare Tropensonne (by Tobago x Top Non Stop). The pair won the preliminary test with 79.982%, the team test with 78.900% and the individual test with 77.324%

“I didn’t expect this, it’s absolutely amazing to win all three classes. Especially because all other riders are so good. It’s my second international show with Tropensonne and we’re looking forward to the future," said Lilli.

Pony Riders: Rosenkilde and Von Roeder

In the big pony division with 20 combinations the trophies were shared between Danish Sofia Rosenkilde and German Feodora van Roeder. 

Rosenkilde won the opening class, the team championship test on the 10-year old German pony Cosmo Royale (by Cosmopolitan x Casino Royale K) with 72.571%, while Feodora von Roeder and the 14-year old Rhinelander bred Morgensterns Delicius (by Daddy Cool x The Breas My Mobility) were second with only a fraction less (72.286%).

Von Roeder dominated the individual test with a winning 74.189% and also in the Kur on Thursday she bested the field with 76.783%

Junior Riders: German Domination

The first two junior riders' test were won by Lilly Marie Collin, the 2023 European Pony Champion, who has made the definite transition to horses and junior level. Collin dominated a huge field of competitors, 29 in total, and won the team test with 73.737% and the individual with 73.431%

"My horse is just a dream. I definitely didn't expect this because I'm new to the Juniors. I’m riding my new freestyle tomorrow, I’m very happy to be able to ride it and to show it to the judges, so I’m very excited," said Lily after the individual test. About Famous K FRH (by Finest x Londonderry) she said "he's a stallion but super sweet and super calm and such a lovely horse to ride. He always wants to do everything perfectly."

The new freestyle was a bit of a challenge for Collin and Famous K who dropped to 10th place in the Kur, but the victory went to fellow German Alix von Borries, who didn’t expect to win at all today. She and the 9-year old Hanoverian bred Feingefuhl (by Furstenball x Farewell III) scored 75.700%.  “It’s only my second international competition in general, with her, for me, so I’m very very happy and grateful," said Alix. "Feingefuhl really has her own opinion, she’s a real mare, but when you have her on your side, she just does everything. It was amazing today, she felt really good and I love my music.” 

Young Riders: Swedish Sandwich

Two Swedish riders sandwiched a German in the Young Riders division.

Swedish Wynja Eriksdotter Rubin impressed in a field of 24 young riders in the team championship test, grabbing the victory aboard her 15-year-old KWPN gelding El Diablo (by Zenon x Krack C) on 70.735%.

"It’s unbelievable, it’s my first international win so it’s very very special," she said after her opening ride in Lier.  “This horse is just amazing, we had a long journey. He was not ready for like even Junior classes, so it has taken a lot of time and patience. I’ve known all the time that he is really good but now we can show it also in the arena. He's 15 years old, I've had him for three years and it's his third international competition ever. Last year we did our first competition, which was in May and it didn't go well," Wynja laughed. "Then I decided we needed to train and get better at training to get better at competitions. So I didn't compete for a few months. And when I felt ready, I did two national competitions, and they were good. When we went to an international competition again, I was also blown away. Because we scored over 70 percent every day. It was a pinch me moment, just like now winning this class. I don't know what to say, I'm so proud."

The individual test was won by Lana-Pinou Baumgurtel aboard her 2023 European Junior Championship medal winning mare Emma (by Escolar x Laurentianer)  with 70.392%.  

"It was an amazing feeling today. It's my first time here and I love this competition, everything is very nice. I've had Emma for three years now. She had first a foal and we are both new at this level," she said. 

The freestyle was won by Swedish Amanda Lindholm with the 13-year old Swedish bred Tiramisu (by Tailormade Temptation x Donnerhall). They scored 75.267% and edged out Baumgurtel and Eriksdotter Rubin. 

"Amanda and I trained with the same trainer when we started, when we rode ponies," said Wynja. "We follow each other for many years. So it can’t be better.” 

Under 25: Double Win for Collin, Comeback for Fame

Fifteen combinations contested the Under 25 division in which two classes were won by German Luca Collin and one by local hero, Amber van den Steen, who made her long awaited come back to the international arena on Fame. He was last shown in July 2022 at the European Young Riders Championships. An injury as well as training for Grand Prix kept them from the international stage for a while. 

Luca and the 15-year old Fuhur (by Furstenreich x Nagnat) won the Inter II with  72.010% and the Kur to Music with 76.758%. “Fuhur’s been injured the whole last season, so I’m really really happy he’s so good on track”, was her first reaction. And she has got some loving words about her partner in crime. “He’s a really sweet guy to be honest. If I you do a mistake he’s also like ‘it’s ok, let’s do it again’. This is our first season together, we have had a few competitions before. He’s a good teacher and became Swedish Champion with my trainer, Patrik Kittel. I’ll definitely come back next year, it’s so nice to be here. The atmosphere is super nice.”

Amber van den Steen and her 14-year old KWPN gelding Fame (by Ampere x Sultano) won the U25 Grand prix with 70.384%, edging out Collin (69.744%).

Photos © Digishots

Related Link
Scores: 2024 CDI Lier