Grand Prix Rookie Dirk-Jan van de Water Makes His Mark at 2021 CDI Ornago

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2021 CDI Ornago

Dutch rookie Dirk-Jan van de Water made his mark in his second international competition at Grand Prix level at the 2021 CDI Ornago in Italy on 6 - 9 May 2021.

The 29-year old young professional, who is based at Sport Pro Horses in Uden, The Netherlands, trailered three horses to equestrian centre Malaspina in Italy, where he celebrated two second places in the big tour on his green Grand Prix ride Hexagon's Grandville. With his two youngsters, Konfucius and Jack Black WW, he achieved encouraging results.

A Double at Second Big Tour CDI

Dirk-Jan's top ride is the 10-year old NRPS bred Hexagon's Grandville (by Louisville x Rubiquil) with whom he made his international show debut at the CDI Le Mans in February 2021. Le Mans was his own as well as his horse's first ever international Grand Prix.

Two months later, the pair produced outstanding scores in their second international in Ornago, placing second in the Grand Prix with 71.739% and second in the freestyle with 74.245%: dream scores for a Grand Prix rookie.

"Riding the Grand Prix is really hard," said Dirk-Jan with a smile. "We're both super inexperienced, but we are becoming a team more and more. I can really rely on Grandville and we help each other through the test in a great way. I was super happy with my Grand Prix score and there is much room for improvement. In the freestyle he went even better. We rode to borrowed music but actually it fit better than expected. I was so happy with my score."

Young Horse Power

Dirk-Jan and Konfucius at the 2021 CDI Ornago

Dirk-Jan also rode his two main rising stars in the FEI young horse classes.

Aboard Yom-Tov's 6-year old KWPN gelding Konfucius (by Charmeur x Flemmingh) he won the preliminary test with a whopping 88.80 points and placed second in the Finals with another strong score of 81.60 points.

"Konfucius was mega on the first day. In the finals he felt a bit tired and there were a few minor things in the test," said Dirk-Jan. "I have been riding him since he was 3 and he's such a fantastic horse for the future. I know he will be going a long way."

Dirk-Jan and the gorgeous grey are through to the second round for Dutch team selection for the 2021 World Young Horse Championships in Verden. The pair already rode at the WCYH in 2019 in the pilot project for 4-year olds, in which they finished 8th.

Aboard Yom-Tov's KWPN gelding Jack Black WW (by Hofrat x Vivaldi) Dirk-Jan added more Ornago ribbons to his collection. They were third in the 7-year old preliminary test on 74.743% and won the Finals test with 76.700%.

"I have been riding Jack since he was three and I know him through and through. He is always very stable in his performances. In the first test there was a small spook and he got a bit tense. It was such a shame as this cost us a few points, but in the finals test he was totally at ease and was very consistent. This 7-year old test is quite hard for these young horses," Dirk-Jan explained. "Jack might not be the biggest mover, but he will never let me down and shows a lot of potential for the upper level work."

A Sport Pro on Horses

With Konfucius in the 4-year old pilot project classes
at the 2019 World Young Horse Championships

Van de Water began his career as a professional dressage rider at stallion station De Havikerwaard in De Steeg (NED), where he was coached by Jarco Dun. After 5.5 years on the job, Dirk-Jan wanted a change of scenery and began breaking in youngsters at Gert-Jan van Olst's stallion station in De Hout.

In 2018 he received the job offer to become an assistant rider at Arie Yom-Tom's Sport Pro Horses stables in Uden (NED) and got a prominent position in the team. Supervised by trainer Nicolette van Leeuwen, Van de Water found his stride there and received a set of talented horses to ride from novice level to Grand Prix.

"This summer I'll be working four years for Sport Pro Horses and time has flown by. I have ridden at so many beautiful shows, nationally and internationally. We won championships, medals and now the cherry on the cake is riding the Grand Prix," said Van de Water. "There is a super click between me and Nicolette. We are really tuned into each other and we're reaping the rewards."

Van de Water also gets the opportunity to ride with Dutch Grand Prix team trainer Alex van Silfhout once per month.

"I really found my place at Sport Pro Horses and receive incredible opportunities from Mr. Yom-Tov for which I'm super grateful," he added. "I don't take this for granted, especially in horse sport, to have horses to ride and compete from 3-year olds to Grand Prix."

Future Plans

With Jack Black WW at the 2019 CDI Budapest

The outstanding results in Ornago boosted Dirk-Jan's confidence in his horses and future. He has drafted a clear plan for the upcoming months and is looking forward to some top competitions.

"With Grandville I'll be riding the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix Championships in Ermelo on 3 - 6 June, followed by the CDI 4* at Arie's stable in Pilisjaszfalu near Budapest, Hungary. Of course we want to ride there too," said Dirk-Jan. "After that Grandville will take it easy for a while and we'll make new plans."

Van de Water will also be taking both youngsters to the CDI Budapest.. With Konfucius he aspires a team spot to ride at the 2021 World Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany.

"And of course I have many more nice horses in the stable, so there are plenty of plans being made," Dirk-Jan concluded. "When it comes to my dream goals in horse sport, I'm already further than what I ever dared to dream of. We'll see what the future brings."