It was again full house today at CDI Lier. The atmosphere was great, the horses amazing and the crowd enthusiastic. The final class of six wonderful days was the 4* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Stephex, which was won by the German Helen Erbe and her Carlos FRH.

“I didn’t expect to win. Yesterday he was really impressed by the whole atmosphere. Today he still was, but just gave his best for me and try to concentrate”, was Helen her first reaction. “I always pinch myself because I think he’s a real champion. He always fights for me, always gives his best and I just really really love riding him. I did like the whole canter work of my Freestyle. The flying changes I tried to improve a bit compared to yesterday and I think it went quite well.”

Great for the horses
Helen praised the show: It’s really really cool, everything around is organized perfectly. The stables are great for the horses, the showground is really really cool. So I was really happy to be able to ride here. And I think it is one of nicest competitions of the year.”

Results 4* Freestyle
The judges awarded the Freestyle of Helen and Carlos FRH with a score of 75.895%, followed by the Spanish Severo Jurado Lopez and his lovely horse Fuerstenglory OLD on the second place, scoring 75.690%. The French Camille Judet Cheret and Herelja Higgins completed the stage. Their result was 74.205%.

Results 4* Special
Most of the big names competed in the 4* Grand Prix Special today. Yesterday’s podium of the 4* Grand Prix was swapped, and it was a real close call. The number one and two received the same score after their performance, but it was the German Dorothee Schneider who took the win at the end with Dayman 4. Jagerbomb and Becky Moody became second, followed by Jagerbomb’s sire, Dante Weltino and Therese Nilshagen.

Belgium riders dominated Small Tour Freestyle
It was a real Belgian party in the first class of today. The first four placings went to Belgian riders, as well as the sixth place. It was Jorinde Verwimp who took the victory. “I am very happy, this was the second international competition of this horse and only the fourth competition in total. He has only been at our stable since September and has not done many competitions before. I am super happy with how he performed here. I really felt that he gained every day more confidence in the arena.”
The score of Jorinde Verwimp and Vicomte de Reyves was 73.575%, just 0,005% higher than Tommie Visser and Karma Begijnhoeve, who became second. Rob van Puijenbroek and Quinten Begijnhoeve finished third with a score of 73.415%.

The best edition
It was for sure the best edition to date of CDI Lier and we are already looking forward to 2025. We would like to thank everyone who’s involved to make it such an amazing show.

Results

Photo: Digishots

The field of participants leaves nothing to be desired at CDI Lier. The 4* Grand Prix was filled with 38 competitors and the audience could once again enjoy fantastic combinations. The master himself, Dante Weltino, left a good impression and showed he is in shape at 17 by winning the Grand Prix.

“Our big goal is the Olympic Games. This show was part of the way to go there. We hope to find the perfect practice during a few shows, to hopefully be in the Swedish team. That would be a dream”, gloats Therese Nilshagen. Participating at Paris would be the second Olympic Games for this Swedish top duo.

“He really likes the attention in there”
This was the first international show this year for Dante Weltino. “I came in and the first part of the test he was a little bit introvert and a little bit tense. But I think it got better and better, the canter was really good and after the canter I felt ‘Ok now we can start the test’. I’m very proud and happy with him.” He didn’t look introvert or shy at the prize giving. Therese laughs: “He was really excited in the prize giving, he knows what to do and he really likes the attention in there.”

Impressive son of Dante Weltino
The number three of today was a son of Dante Weltino, Jagerbomb of Becky Moody. They scored 72.543%. How is it to meet offspring of Dante Weltino at the competitions, especially at Grand Prix level? “That makes us so proud, Dante proves himself as a really good stallion and produces Grand Prix horses, that’s super. I was really really excited and happy, and it was also a very good round of Becky, so congratulations. I think she will have a very good future with this horse.” Between Dante Weltino and his son came the German Dorothee Schneider and her Dayman 4 (s.Daily Deal), scoring 73.522%.

The 3* Grand Prix of yesterday evening was filled with highlights. One after another international championship rider rode into the arena and the Grand Prix was full of harmonious rides. Charlotte Dujardin managed to win the 3* Grand Prix with her newest Grand Prix trump card, Alive and Kicking (by All At Once). This class was offered by Henders & Hazel / De Sutter Naturally.

Henders & Hazel had an additional surprise for the winner of this class, as Charlotte Dujardin was allowed to choose a luxury sofa from the Henders & Hazel collection. “I’ve never won a couch before”, she reacts enthusiastically. The choice seemed quickly made. “What a lovely prize, this is really cool,” Charlotte said to chairman Wim Verwimp. “It’s my first time in Lier, but what an amazing show. The stables and facilities for the horses are fantastic, the arena is perfect and there’s a lot of space to train the horses. I definitely come back next year.”

Photo: Digishots

After three days dedicated to the youth, it is now time for the seniors. This morning at 9 a.m. the first combination of the 1* Prix St. Georges rode into the arena. As many as 41 combinations participated in this class, in which the Belgians proved to be supreme. Tommie Visser, who exchanged his Dutch nationality for Belgian nationality last year, rode the Desperado daughter Karma Begijnhoeve to victory in the Prix St. Georges with 71.823%.

“Winning is always fun, of course. This is the third test I’ve ridden with her, and the first time internationally. She actually did really well. It’s a beautiful setting here, it’s always a wait of see how the horses react, but she did well”, Tommie Visser responded enthusiastically afterwards.

Successful exchange
“We bred her ourselves. Rob rode her first, but we swapped. I rode Quinten and Rob rode Karma first, and now I ride Karma and Rob rides Quinten. Karma is a sensitive mare, and I like that. So then we thought of swapping. And it turns out really good, I really like the mare”, Rob laughs. “She turns nine this year. I’m already training her a little further at home. She is actually doing everything from Grand Prix. I think she is going to be my best horse. Sunday I will ride the freestyle, I have never done that with her before. I brought her along for the experience, so I’m very curious about Sunday. We’re going to try to ride a nice test again”, Rob concludes.

British and Belgian on 2 and 3
The first starter of the day was Belgian Eline Borrey de Coninck, she rode the 11-year-old Destano son Dollars to 70.912% and the third place. With a score of 71.265%, Britain’s Jessica Dunn came second with her Dan Its Carston (by Durable).

Results

This is going to be exciting! To The Music will do live mixing of the freestyle music during the 1*, 3* and 4* Freestyles And.. the winner of the 3* Freestyle gets a freestyle composed by To The Music.

To The Music will award a free music composition to the winner of the 3* Grand Prix. Established in 2005 by brother and sister, Stefan and Barbara, To The Music has solidified its presence as a key player in the world of freestyle dressage music. Based in the Netherlands, we’ve become a sought-after destination for riders looking for distinctive and personalized compositions.

Specializing in crafting unique dressage music experiences, we prioritize authenticity in every note. Our commitment to this authenticity is encapsulated in our tagline, ‘Composed with Pride.’ At To The Music, we adopt a collaborative approach, engaging our clients throughout the entire creative process. By sending regular samples, we ensure that the music resonates with the individuality of each rider. Recognizing the nuanced difference between riding at home and in the arena, we persist with edits until it’s pitch-perfect – all part of our comprehensive service.

Beyond just music, To The Music is dedicated to enhancing your freestyle journey. Join us, and together, let’s craft a soundtrack that seamlessly complements your ride. Authentic tunes tailored to your rhythm.