“Winning in Lier is really cool though”, a smile from ear to ear on Esmee Boers showed who won the Junior competition. The sixth edition of CDI Lier got off to a flying start today. Both the Children, Ponies and Juniors classes featured a strong field of competitors, where the youth managed to achieve wonderful scores.

“CDI Lier is an important competition for the youth ahead of the European Championships this summer,” explained CDI Lier chairman Wim Verwimp. “New combinations gain international experience and existing combinations look for the right form before the observations start.” Portuguese judge Carlos Lopez could only agree. “Compliments to the organization. This event is well organised in every way for sure the sports side but also the decoration looks really beautiful and does justice to the event.”

Dutch win Children
On the first day of CDI Lier, all youth categories showed off. The first three classes were the Children, Ponies and Juniors. In the Children, the win went to Dutch rider Sophie Evers and her KWPN mare Beaumonde (by United). Scoring 72.732%, she was narrowly ahead of her Turkish competitor Lal Mira Gürgen with Lowland (by Bordeaux), who managed 72.340%. A total of four combinations took part.

Liezel Everars by far the best
Twenty pony riders competed this afternoon. However, Belgium’s Liezel Everars stood head and shoulders above the other combinations. Her pony FS Capelli de Niro (by FS Champion de Luxe) danced to a score of 74.048%. Second was Dutch Maddy Dijkshoorn with Boogie De L’Aube (by Don’t Worry), she achieved a score of 72.476%, third was her compatriot Bridget Lock with Nespresso (by FS Numero Uno). Their performance was rewarded with 72.191%.

“Super nice ride”
Also in the Junior competition, the win went to the Netherlands. “I really didn’t expect this. I used to took part with my pony here and we always said if you can win in Lier, that’s really cool. And now we succeeded!” Esmee Boers was very satisfied afterwards. “I had a super nice ride, and receiving this score, that’s really nice.” The score of 70.101% is an improvement of over 3% for this combination in the Team Test.

From ponies to horses
Last summer, Esmee Boers concluded her pony time with a silver team medal and individual fourth place. Then it was time to switch to horses. “My mother trained Kiki all the way, so on Kiki I could really learn how to ride a horse”, she said. Kiki is not only a very nice horse in the ring. “She is really sweet, she is very cuddly in the stable and loves attention a lot. Besides, she always tries super hard for me.” The enthusiastic Esmee loves riding in Lier. “I really love riding this kind of competitions. It’s so nice to be away with your horse for several days, you’re here with everyone. At a smaller competition you would go home after your ride. Now we’re all going out for dinner, and tomorrow is another day to give it a try. That’s what I really like about international competitions.” Esmee her biggest dream? “My biggest dream is the Olympics and for now it’s a dream and a goal to ride the European Championships this summer with this horse.”

Britain’s Mette Dahl second
Britain’s Mette Dahl came second in the Juniors with her KWPN-bred Cashmir (by Sandro Hit). The judges rated this test 69.747%. Third was Dutch Lara van Nek with her Hanoverian Jappaloup (by All At Once), they scored 69.293%.

Dutch podium
The win in the Young Riders went to Danish Ida Kirstine Bjørn. She sent her Hussmanns Jackson (by Johnson) to 71.961%. Second place was for the Dutch Robin Heiden (by Tuschinksi), they received a score of 71.078%. The British Jessica McConkey was third with her Wilson Stensvang (by Blue Hors Don Schufro), they were rewarded with 71.030%.
The final U25 competition had an entirely Dutch podium. With Zoe Kuintjes and her Cupido, a son of Rhodium, in first place. They were the only ones who managed to cross the 70% and did so with 70,392%. Second was Lotte van Herik with Giovanni (by Ampere). They received 68.530% from the jury. With a score of 67.990%, Julia Bouthoorn came third with Choice Finch (by Voice).

Tomorrow all youth riders will be back in the arena. The program starts at 9.00 am, visit CDI Lier or follow the sport via the free live stream of ClipMyHorse.

Results

Photo Esmee Boers and Kiki G: Digishots