Once again Flore de Winne leads Belgian Heavy Tour championships

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This time it was the Big Tour riders who had to endure the rain. But that did not spoil the fun. It was exciting until the last combination, but nobody managed to top the score of Flore de Winne and Flynn FRH.

A score of 73.468% rewarded Flore de Winne and Flynn FRH’s Grand Prix Special. Tomorrow is a rest day and Sunday the freestyle final is on the program. After two wins, Flore de Winne and Flynn FRH seem to be heading for their first national title in the Big Tour.

Same top 3
Larissa Pauluis and First-Step Valentin came second, as they did yesterday. The reigning Belgian champion saw her Grand Prix Special rewarded with 72.574%. Third was Charlotte Defalque with Botticelli, she received 71.021% from the judges. The entire top three were thus the same as yesterday’s top three.

Jette de Jong – Heavenly Charming
BK Lier 2024
© DigiShots

Jette de Jong on track
In the Young Riders, reigning champion Jette de Jong is well on her way. She managed to win the first section of the Young Riders in the saddle of Heavenly Charming. Although she had her hands full. ‘I found it quite exciting, when I entered the ring Heavenly Charming got quite hot. So it was all hands on deck. Fortunately, it wasn’t too bad in the end. I now know how to handle it. It’s mainly because of his cheerfulness, wind, cold,’ Jette de Jong explains.

Top two horses of Jette
The reigning champion finds defending the title exciting. ‘Especially because Indini with Britt is very much like me and Heavenly Charming. That does make it extra exciting.’ Nice detail is that Indini also belongs to Jette de Jong. Tomorrow the first titles will be fought for and we will know who the Belgian Pony and Children champions are.

Results

Photo’s: Digishots

Harmony dominates in young horses and ponies in Lier

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Besides all the championship classes, the four-, five-, six- and seven-year-old dressage horses also came into the arena today, as well as the four-, five- and six-year-old ponies. Judge Danielle Joosten saw all the combinations in front of her in the arena and was very positive afterwards.

‘We saw a lot of really good young horses,’ enthuses Danielle Joosten, who had the privilege of judging together with Dominique Vanderhorst. ‘The quality was high. Some horses had some tension here and there because of the environment. It’s not a very easy arena either. But the riders all handled that very well.’

Good quality
The quality across the board was very good according to Danielle Joosten. ‘The four-year-olds really stood out.’ The win in this class was for Kevin Laevens and Urianto Van Den Dries (by Escamillo), they received a score of 83.400%. ‘But also the pony kids were very enthusiastic. They rode in the pouring rain with a big smile. It was a long day but it really was a beautiful day. Harmony really prevailed and that is always pleasant judging.’

Four-year-olds
Second place in the four-year-olds was for Justin Verboomen with Eragon (by Escamillo). They scored 82.000%. Third was Katrien Verreet with Foreign Affair (by Fürstenball)

Kevin Laevens – Urianto van den Dries
BK Lier 2024
© DigiShots

Five-year-olds

  1. Larissa Pauluis with Neros d’Hathor (by Kheops d’Hathor): 83.400%.
  2. Laura Smet with Gatineau (by Guardian S): 79.800%.
  3. Justin Verboomen with Fragolino (by Fürst Samarant): 78.200%.

Six-year-olds

  1. Domien Michiels with Sunnyboy van de Kempenhoeve (by Don Deluxe): 83.600%.
  2. Tom Franckx with Sandor Hit van ‘t Steenputtenhof (by Special Agent Amour): 81.000%.
  3. Larissa Pauluis with Fanomen de Malleret (by Toto Junior): 80.600%.

Domien Michiels – Sunnyboy van de Kempenhoeve
BK Lier 2024
© DigiShots

Seven-year-olds

  1. Patricia Mannaerts with Dalton (by Alwin 469): 76.682%
  2. Pieter Foets with Romina v/h Kolisbos (by Glamourdale): 74.990%.
  3. Elodie de Biolley with Maestro V.B. (by Daily Diamond): 73.054%.

Patricia Mannaerts – Dalton
BK Lier 2024
© DigiShots

All results

Photo’s: Digishots

Riders Party Tonight at ’t Azelhofke

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Once the horses are ready, it’s time to dance! Starting at 9pm, the Riders Party will take place at ‘t Azelhofke, the bar at the corner of the building. Bring all your friends and make sure you have a good time.

Belgian Championship as preparation for the Olympics for Flore de Winne and Flynn FRH

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After rain comes sunshine and a bright winner. In today’s big class, the Grand Prix, it was the very last combination to come away with the win. Flore de Winne sent her stallion Flynn FRH to victory in the Grand Prix class sponsored by Stephex.

‘I am quite satisfied with the ride, the two tempis went very well as did the passage and piaffe,’ Flore de Winne responded enthusiastically afterwards. The test was rewarded with a score of 72.370%, all judges placed De Winne in the lead.

‘That does really create a bond’
‘He has been with me for five years now. We started in the five-year-old tests, then the six-year-olds, seven-year-olds, the Small Tour and as an eight-year-old I already started him in the Grand Prix. It is my first Grand Prix horse for me and that does really create a bond,’ Flore praises her stallion. ‘We trust each other and we know each other. His ‘go’ is his biggest advantage of being a stallion.’

‘Happy to be here’
‘I am very lucky with the weather, I was able to ride in the sunshine. The accommodation here is beautiful, the stables are beautiful, which is very important to me. The arenas are beautiful and it’s a super nice environment. We are happy to be here.’ For De Winne, the BC is a preparation for the summer season with hopefully the Olympics as the crowning achievement. ‘Tomorrow in the Special I want to dare to do just a bit more, take a bit more risk than usual and see how that turns out.’

Top three Grand Prix
In second place was last year’s Belgian champion Larissa Pauluis with First-Step Valentin, they scored 71.370%, followed by Charlotte Defalque with Botticelli. Their test was rewarded with 70.304%.

Children
With a score of 78.286%, Charlott Blevi and Junior Hit overwhelmingly won the first test of the Belgian Children’s Championships. With just under three percent difference, Evelyne Dieltjes followed in second place. She sent her Lord Lucardi VD V to a score of 75.518%, also a top score. Third was Matthis de Baere with his Elle d’Edouard Joly (69.768%). A total of eight combinations took part.

Charlott Blevi (BEL) – Junior Hit © DigiShots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ponies
As many as 23 pony combinations are competing for the title of Belgian champion. The first test was won by Helena Theeuwes and her Matteo 5. They scored 71.028%. In second place was Féline Verreet – de Booij and PAV Nikkei. Their performance was rewarded with 70.229%. Third was Alexine Herweyers, she rode her LeSch La Perla to a score of 68.914%.

Helena Theeuwes – Matteo 5 © DigiShots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results
Photo: Digishots

Tommie Visser and Karma Begijnhoeve lead in Small Tour class

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The day started with heavy rain today, but that did not bother the winner of the Small Tour class. Tommie Visser sent his Karma Begijnhoeve through the water to victory. With a score of 72.294%, he was one and a half percent ahead of the runner-up.

‘Of course it was pouring down from the sky, during the warming up inside she was already going very well and then I had to go through the water into the ring and she kept going super well. She didn’t care and she just showed a very good test and I could ride super fine. Only in the changes I couldn’t keep her completely straight, I blamed the water but I don’t know if that was the reason,’ laughs Tommie Visser.

Good choice
A while back he took over the reins of Karma Begijnhoeve from Rob van Puijenbroek and he has no intention of swapping back. ‘Once swapped is swapped,’ he laughs. ‘At CDI Lier and The Dutch Masters, Karma was already super successfully and at home I am training her further. But I did feel she could do some more mileage at this level, so that’s why I’m bringing her to the start here now.’ And that proved no wrong choice. In the Belgian Small Tour championships, the combination is leading. ‘I’ll try to do the same again tomorrow in the Inter I as I did today,’ he said.

‘There should be more competitions like this’
The international rider comes to many places and has experienced many competitions. About Lier, Tommie praises. ‘I think this is one of the nicest competitions there is. It is top-notch. OK, last year and the year before it was nice weather, but that’s the only thing out of your control. The atmosphere is top, the arenas are top, the organization does its utmost to make sure everything is top notch. There should be more competitions like this,’ concludes Tommie Visser.

Top three
Domien Michiels finished in second place with Panthero van de Vogelzang, scoring 70.676%, followed by Rob van Puijenbroek with Le Premier Begijnhoeve in third place. The judges rewarded their performance with a score of 70.588%.

1. Tommie Visser and Karma Begijnhoeve with 72.294%
2. Domien Michiels and Panthero van de Vogelzag with 70.676%
3. Rob van Puijenbroek with Le Premier Begijnhoeve with 70.588%
4. Jorinde Verwimp with Vicomte de Reyves with 70.177%
5. Eline Borrey de Conick and Haressel with 69.823%

Results

Photo: Digishots

Free entrance today at the Belgian Dressage Championships

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It’s day two of the Belgian Dressage Championships and the entrance is for free today. So come over to Lier and support your favorite Belgian dressage riders.

On today’s program are the Small Tour, Big Tour, Ponies and Children. And the riders of the Diamant Cup and Briljant Cup are riding their second test.

Startlists and results
Free livestream

Lauranne Lammens wins first section of U25 championship with Hilcara van het Vijverbos

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It is her fourth year in the U25 and she has been a combination with Hilcara van het Vijverbos for 12 years. ‘I am 24 and Hilcara has been in my life for half my life, I am very proud of her’, is the first reaction of winner Lauranne Lammens. Her test was judged with a score of 70.441%, good for first place in the U25 championship, presented by MAX Amaze.

‘I absolutely did not expect this, I am very happy with Hilli. I was hoping to put down positive results, but I know the others are also very strong. So I’m really very happy with this’, said Lauranne Lammens.

Seventeen years old and still top fit
Seventeen-year-old Hilcara has gone through all classes with Lauranne. ‘I was hoping for the Juniors when I started with her, and now we have been riding U25 for four years. She has really exceeded our expectations. She is top fit and still surprises us, so I am very happy to be able to do this with her.’ In terms of preparation, Lauranne took it easy. ‘We try not to burden her unnecessarily, so she keeps enjoying it herself but with a certain regularity’, she said.

‘Without them it wouldn’t have worked out’
The scores were close, with the first five combinations sitting less than one and a half percent apart. How is Lauranne looking at the next few days? ‘We will try to ride our own tests and get through them clear. Happy horse, happy rider. And of course I want to make the breeder Guido Vanhumbeeck and my trainer Philippe Jorissen proud. They came to support and without them it wouldn’t have worked out either.’

Top 3 U25 – MAX Amaze
1. Lauranne Lammens and Hilcara van het Vijverbos (by Don Renoir): 70.441%
2. Sophie Jamar and De Maisiere (by Don Romantic): 69.529%
3. Laura Luyten and J2L Lamborghini (by Bravour B): 69.353%

All results

Photo: Digishots

 

Belgian dressage strong on the rise: Belgian Championships hold great promise

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The Belgian championships in Lier from May 15 to May 19 are bound to offer beautiful and exciting sport. After all, the Belgian dressage sport is on the rise. While the top is getting wider, the quality of those top combinations is increasing. Flore De Winne and Larissa Pauluis recently proved it with their very successful participation in the World Cup final in Riyadh.

A large and strong field of competitors has entered the Belgian Big Tour championships. Larissa Pauluis won the title last year with Flambeau (by Ampère) and is now defending the title with her World Cup final horse First-Step Valentin (by Vitalis). Charlotte Defalque, winner of last year’s silver medal, is also competing with Botticelli, the Vivaldi son with whom she impressively won the Freestyle last year.

All eyes on De Winne
But many eyes will be on Flore De Winne with Flynn FRH (by Fahrenheit). Last year they finished fifth at the BCh, but after the great indoor season they went through, this duo is one of the favorites. In the World Cup Qualifier in Mechelen they achieved a podium place and in the World Cup Final they finished sixth amidst global competition.

Growth of Belgian dressage sports
In addition to the classes in the Big Tour, the Belgian titles in the ponies, Children, Juniors, Young Riders, U25 and Small Tour will of course be competed for. Eline Borrey De Coninck will defend her title in the Small Tour with Haressel (by Uphill). Laura Luyten won the U25 title last year with J2l Lamborghini (by Bravour B) and will compete in this class again this year. Jette de Jong is competing in the Young Riders with Heavenly Charming (by Charmeur), with whom she was the best in the Young Riders last year. The growth of the Belgian dressage sport is also evident from the increase in the number of participants in the Children. Last year three combinations competed and now eight combinations are competing for the Belgian title. Next to the championships classes there will be a competition for Iberian dressage horses as well. And of course the Briljant Cup, Diamant Cup and Platinum Cup.

Road works
The Belgian championships are organized by Belgian Dressage Events, an organization dedicated to promoting top dressage sports in Belgium. The event will take place at the magnificent venue of the Azelhof in Lier. Please notice the road works, you can read here more about it.

Startlists

 

Road works on Aarschotsesteenweg

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The Roads and Traffic Agency Flanders (AWV) will start this Monday, May 6th with the sewerage and road works on the Aarschotsesteenweg (N10) between the bridge over the Netekanaal and the intersection with the Liersebaan. They will start on the side of the odd house numbers from 173 to house number 141. Please note traffic could be diverted.

Please check this document for more information or go directly to the site of Road and Traffic Agency Flanders.

In dialogue with the media during CDI Lier

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Considering the fact that our equestrian society is passing through challenging times, as show organizers, we should be focused on finding the best solutions to make our sports better, as well as improving communication with the audience and media.

During CDI Lier, we had a chance to engage in dialogue with the media. In recent months, dressage has faced waves of criticism, and as we know, no field is perfect, and there are things we can definitely improve. On the other hand, social media and media, in general, sometimes show only one side of the story, which is not helpful in making our sports better. Therefore, the only way for us is to work together and to have respect for each other’s points of view.

Information and education are key, and our goal during CDI Lier was to establish dialogue between show organizers, veterinarians, coaches, riders and the media. This provided an opportunity to get answers to questions that are not often on the surface. We understand that this is only the beginning of the journey, but we truly hope that it was a good first step for the positive development of both our sports and unbiased media coverage. We should acknowledge the negatives but also highlight the positive aspects of our beautiful sports.