Top score for Liezel Everars in the first part of the Belgian Pony Championship

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She came, she saw and she conquered! Liezel Everars confidently rode her Fs Capelli De Niro into the arena during the Team Test of the Belgian Championship for Ponies. All five judges highly appreciated the harmonious and consistent ride and on average, the combination achieved a top score of no less than 75.457%.

 “I am very happy with my test today and with how well Capelli did his best for me again. It’s really a very sweet pony and he always puts in his best effort, I think it’s very special that he keeps doing that every time. Capelli already gives me a lot of confidence during the warm-up, so that I can enter the arena with a good feeling.” In addition to the Belgian Championship for the Ponies, Liezel will also ride the first test this morning with her Junior horse Vigo Gold NA: “I am very excited to start my first Junior Championship with Vigo. I have already competed nationally with him a few times and we have won all those competitions so far, so I am curious how it will go here.” The second place went to Anna Peeters, she scored 70.200% with her Balotelli 2. Emilie Herweyers & LeSch La Perla won the third prize with 69.114%.

Small Tour top 3 riders evenly matched
In a field of no less than 36 competitors in the Small Tour, the top three was putting each other to the test. With 71,000%, Sophie van Lent-Baetens was placed on the top of the rankings with her classy mare Nea’s Jacky O. They won the Prix st. George test and that gives them a good starting point for the following parts of the Belgian Championship for the Small Tour. Eline Borrey De Coninck and her gelding Haressel won the second prize with 70.588% and the top three was completed by Laurence Roos and Kingston, with 70.059%.

Lammens in the lead in the U25
In the U25 group Lauranne Lammens was in the lead. She scored 69.647% together with her Hilcara Van het Vijverbos in the Inter II test. The second place was for Laura Luyten with J2l Lamborghini with 69.029% and the third place for Britt Baranyai and her Buffon, with 67.677%.

Select group of Children
The Children class consisted of a select group, with the numbers one and two very evenly matched. The win was for Evelyne Dieltjens with Bonaire van de Mottelhoeve, they scored 70.179%. They were closely followed by Leontine Lemmens with Erpedo Vd Performing Stables, with 70.125%.

Best for last in the Grand Prix
Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau (v. Ampere) were the very last combination to enter the arena today in Lier. They showed a well-finished and expressive Grand Prix test and convincingly won the class with 73.956%. The second place was for Laurence Roos with her BWP gelding Fil Rouge with 70.957% and Charlotte Defalque and Botticelli took the third prize with 70.696%.

You are welcome
We still have a few very nice days full of beautiful dressage sport ahead of us and the weather forecast also looks good. As a spectator you are very welcome in Lier. From up to and including Sunday 29 May, the entrance fee is 10 euros per person. Via the website and social media channels of Belgium Dressage Events you will find the program, start lists, results, lists of participants and of course all the latest news.

For the riders
Our photographer Leanjo de Koster of Digishots is here to capture all the thrills and spills. You can check out and order the pictures via www.digishots.nl.

Startlists/results
Pictures
Livestream

Photo: Digishots

Day one: First in, first win

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“The first day, coming in first in the first test and finishing as first. Couldn’t be better,” Jorinde laughed after the award ceremony. “Everyone always says it’s disadvantageous coming in first anyway, but this is already the second time I came in first and won, so for me it’s an advantage now.”

The Diamant Cup has a big field of competitors, but in this case the early bird catched the worm.  The 12-year-old Johnson daughter Rose Belle is one of Jorinde’s four horses. “This is a horse of a client of mine, they rode her first. I took the reigns over and it’s going super well now. The owners are also in Lier, so that they here while we’re winning is super nice.”

Extra motivation

Busy days for Jorinde Verwimp at the Belgian Dressage Championships, 15 students to help and four horses to ride. How do you do it? “Bit of luck with the starting times and plan as much as possible,” she says, laughing. How is Jorinde looking at the rest of the week? “It has already started well in any case. So now I have to try to continue this. I’m looking forward to it, this win gives some extra motivation.” Her trump card for the Big Tour is Charmer. “Charmer has had some rest after the World Cup Final in Omaha, he seems in shape at home so we will see how he it goes here.”

Briljant Cup

After the Diamant Cup the second class of the day was the Briljant Cup. And this class had brilliance pair stealing the show: Domien Michiels and Phantero van de Vogelzang. With a score of 72.364% they smashed the competition and took the win. The second place went to Claudia Dorpmans and Bravo Benico (69.576%) and Sally Jacobs won the third place with Monamie (68.485%).

Platina Cup

After the Diamond Cup and Briljant Cup is was time for the Platina Cup. Nick van Laer rode his outstanding Jack Daniels N to the victory and scored 70.588%. Isabel Cool came in second with a score of 69.235% on her ride Herr Charmeur Coolhorses. The third place was for the beautiful Heros Begijnhoeve and Rob van Puijenbroek, they received a score of 67.794% of the judges.

The first day is done, and it was a good one! We hope to welcome you in Lier one of these days. Thursday through Sunday, the entry fee is 10 euro per person. Our photographer Leanjo de Koster of Digishots is here to capture all the thrills and spills. You can check out and order the pictures via www.digishots.nl.

Startlists/results
Pictures
Livestream

Photo: Digishots

The Diamant Cup kicked off the Belgian Dressage Championships

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After all the preparations it is finally time to start with the Belgian Dressage Championships. The sun is out, the horses are ready and the riders excited. The first combination, Jorinde Verwimp and Rose Belle (s.Johnson), have already put their best foot forward and passed the 70%, with a score of 70.907%.

Today’s program consists of three classes, beginning with the Diamant Cup, followed by the Briljant Cup and the Platina Cup. It promises to be a week filled with exciting dressage sport and the weather forecasts are equally bright. We hope to welcome you in Lier. Thursday through Sunday, the entry fee is 10 euro per person. Today the entrance is free.

Our photographer Leanjo de Koster of Digishots is here to capture all the thrills and spills. You can check out and order the pictures via www.digishots.nl.

Program
Startlists/results

Belgian dressage champions keen to defend title at Belgian Championship

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The Belgian Dressage Championship will start in two days and is held in Lier from May 24 through 28. The registration has closed and that means we now know which names will contend for the Belgian dressage titles. One thing is certain, the entry list features a record number of combinations and nearly all the reigning champions are present to defend their title.

During the Pentecost weekend, Belgium’s top riders in the senior, youth and para dressage divisions descend on the Azelhof Equestrian Centre in Lier to compete at the Belgium Dressage Championship.

Belgium’s finest

The reigning Belgian dressage champion Larissa Pauluis is set to participate with two horses. Both her Olympic Flambeau and her ace of the World Championships Dressage of Herning, First-Step Valentin, are featured on the entry list. The winner of silver, Amandine Prevost, and the bronze medallist Charlotte Delfalqu, are also in attendance to secure another podium position. And the list goes on, several other top Belgian riders eager to get their hands on the medals are Jorinde Verwimp, Laurence Roos, Jeroen Devroe and Domien Michiels.

Youth steps up

Besides the Belgian Championship at Grand Prix level, there is the Small Tour championship. Isabelle Cool is the reigning Belgian Champion and does not forfeit the chance to defend her hard-earned title. On the list of participants in the U25 class we find the current champion Laura Luyten. Last year’s champion of the Junior division Jette de Jong has made the transition to the Young Riders and plans to compete aboard two horses. Liezel Everas also made a step forward. This year, the reigning pony champion contends among the Junior riders, as will Children champion Amber Hennes.

Commentary by Gert Jan van Olst

In addition to the Belgian Championship segments, the show program includes classes for 4- to 7-year-old dressage horses, the Diamant Cup, the Briljant Cup, and the Platina Cup. The young horse classes on Thursday are a training competition for which Gert Jan van Olst provides the commentary. Friday marks the start of the competitions, at night the day is concluded with a rider’s party.

You are invited

It promises to be a week filled with exciting dressage sport and the weather forecasts are equally bright. We hope to welcome you in Lier. Thursday through Sunday, the entry fee is 10 euro per person. Via the website and the social media channels of Belgium Dressage Events, you find the timetable, starting lists, results, list of participants and the latest news.

CDI Lier 2024: The new date is set!

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With captain of Belgium Dressage Events Wim Verwimp, we look back at a very successful week. Wim: “I think everything went really well this week. At the beautiful location of Azelhof we have everything to organize a competition for the Belgian dressage sport at the highest level. I think we’ve succeeded with that again this year.”

Positive respons

“The positive response of the riders during the week was quite overwhelming, but so much fun to hear. They are all happy with the organization, the stables -this is the second year we have permanent stables-, the footings, the prizes, everything. It gives us as an organization a lot of energy to keep on going with this event and to think about how we can do it even better.”

CDI Lier 2024

The date for next year has already been set: from February 27th till March 3rd CDI Lier 2024 will take place again at Azelhof!

Therese Nilshagen wins CDI 4* Grand Prix Special: “Dante Weltino is my dreamhorse”

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They did it again today, after winning the CDI 4* Grand Prix on Saturday, the Swedish Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino old. (by Danone 4) also took the win in the Grand Prix Special on Sunday, with 77.660%. They were closely followed by -also from Sweden- Juliette Ramel and her Buriel K.H. (by Osmium) with a score of 76.298%. The top three was completed by German Dorothee Schneider and Sisters Act MT old. (by Sandro Hit), with 73.468%.

We spoke with Therese after her winning ride: “Today I was really satisfied with our ride. This was our first competition this year, so you never know what you can expect. Sometimes the circumstances at indoor competitions are a bit more difficult than outside, but Dante felt really good here and he liked the arena and the environment.”

One in a million horse

If she can explain what makes Dante Weltino special? “Dante is a once in a million horse. I have been riding him since he was 5-years-old and he is twelve now, so we did the whole journey together. He is definitely the horse of my life, who has made so many dreams come true already: the final of the Olympic games, the World Championships finals, European Championships finals. Yes, he is my dreamhorse.”

Grand Prix Freestyle

In the Grand Prix Freestyle there was a big win for Belgium. Larissa Pauluis rode a super freestyle with her Flambeau (by. Ampere) and they took the win with 77.550%. The second place was for Fie Christine Skarsoe from Luxembourg. With Imperador Dos Credos (by Rubi) she scored 74.090%. It was quite a close call, but with 73.845% Richard Davison won the third prize with his Bubblingh (by Lingh).

Results

Photo Therese Nilshagen: Digishots

Hattrick for Charlotte Fry & Jackson in Small Tour

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Charlotte Fry & Jackson scored a hattrick in the Small Tour competition. With a smashing 75.775% they also won the Freestyle today, and that was the third win in a row for this lovely couple. Charlotte took Jackson to CDI Lier to let him gain experience in international competitions and a bigger entourage. Jackson learned a lot this week and he proves himself to be a promising horse for the future.

The top three was completed by the Netherlands and Belgium. It was the Dutch Quinty Vossers with Inferno who became second, with a nice score of 73.670%. The Belgian Jorinde Verwimp scored 73.600% with her Golddream vd Kempenhoeve and she won the very well deserved third price.

This afternoon we have a clinic with Tineke Bartels & Kevin van Ham, at 14.30PM, followed by the CDI 4* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. Visit CDI Lier or follow the sport from home, through the free live stream of ClipMyHorse.

Visit the Free Livestream

See all results 

Photo Charlotte Fry & Jackson: Digishots

Standing ovation for Belgian Larissa Pauluis after winning the Grand Prix Special

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The standing ovation during the lap of honor was for the Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis today. Together with her First-Step Valentin (by Vitalis) she won the CDI 3* Grand Prix Special with a score of 71.489%.

“I was really happy with First-Step Valentin today! He is still young and he is a stallion, so sometimes it’s hard for him to stay focused in the ring. But today he did the job and we made no big mistakes. I bought him when he was 2,5-years-old and trained him to the Grand-Prix, so that’s quite special.”

First international win

“It’s the first time for First-Step Valentin that he wins an international competition and it’s extra special that it happened here today, at CDI Lier. For me this competition is an amazing place to be, everything is just perfect: the organization, the stables, the arena. I really like riding here.”

The second place was for the Swedish Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson with Bergsjoholms Valbonne (by Blue Horse Zack) with a result of 71.340%. Dutch rider Gerdine Maree and her Holiday (by Dream Boy) won the third prize with 69.723%.

Spanish dance moves

In the CDI 3* Grand Prix Freestyle the Portuguese Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo was the winner, after riding a spectaculair freestyle at uplifting Spanish music. The judges placed him at the top of the rankings with his stunning Spanish gelding Euclides Mor, with a solid score of 75.430%. The French Camille Judet Cheret became second with her lovely Scoop Du Bois Luric. She scored 73.000%. The third place was for the Hungarian Benedek Pachl and Donna Friderika. Their performance was rewarded with a score of 72.415%.

Results

Photo Larissa Pauluis: Digishots

 

Therese Nilshagen wins CDI 4* Grand Prix from the start

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She came, she saw and she conquered. The Swedish Therese Nilshagen was the first rider to enter the arena in the CDI 4* Grand Prix with her Dante Weltino Gold Old. (by Danone 4). None of the 19 other riders managed to improve her smashing score of 75.54%.

Therese was closely followed by her Swedish colleague Juliette Ramel, who rode Buriel K.H. (by Osmium) to the second place with 75.239%. The German Dorothee Schneider was third with her Sisters Act MT Old. (by Sandro), they were rewarded with 73.609%. The fourth place was for the Belgian Larissa Pauluis with Flambeau (by Ampere), they received an average 71.565% from the juries. Finnish rider Yvonne Österholm was placed fifth with Ironman H (by Bordeaux).

Small Tour

The win in the Small Tour Inter I went to Charlotte Fry and Jackson. With 72.382% they achieved a convincing victory. “Jackson was really good, today’s test was already much better than last time, so yes, I’m happy! It was only his second Inter I test ever so it’s all still new for him. Also, this is probably the biggest entourage he’s ever been in but he handled it very well. He was a little nervous so we had some small mistakes, but he’s going to be very exciting for the future.”

Special horse

Jackson is a special horse for Charlotte. “Jackson is a little nervous and he needs to have a good partnership with his rider, so he’s really a one-person horse. Once he trusts you, he gives everything. That’s what I like about him. He’s still new to the competitions but it’s going really well, I’m happy with his progress.”

Belgian rider Jennifer Reimer became second with her Daiquiri Royal (by Dancier) with 70.471%. She was followed closely by the Dutch Marieke Ponzo Dieu-de Pundert who became third with Haliego (by Diego), with 70.441%. Dutch Saskia Poel also did well with Hero-K (by Charmeur) and ended at the fourth place. Belgium’s Isabel Cool completed the top five with Herr Charmeur Coolhorses (by Charmeur).

Results

Photo Therese Nilshagen: Digishots

 

Charlotte Fry: “For younger horses, CDI Lier is the perfect entourage to gain experience”

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Olympic, European and World Championship medalist and reigning World Champion: we are of course talking about British dressage rider Charlotte Fry! She is here, at CDI Lier, and we asked her what she thinks of the competition and which horses she took with her.

“For me, CDI Lier is the perfect environment to give my younger and less experienced horses experience with bigger atmospheres. It’s such a beautiful entourage here, I really love it.  Especially since the stables have been built permanently since two years, that makes it all perfect.”

We spoke to Charlotte right after her second win with Jackson, in the Small Tour Inter I. Whether she was happy with her ride? “Jackson was really good, the test we rode today was already much better than last time, so yes, I’m happy! It was only his second Inter I test ever so it’s all still new for him. Also, this is probably the biggest atmosphere he’s ever been in, but he handled it very well. He was a little nervous so we had some little mistakes, but he’s going to be very exciting for the future.”

Jackson is a special horse for Charlotte. “Jackson is a little nervous and he needs to have a good partnership with his rider, so he’s really a one-person horse. Once he trusts you, he gives everything. That’s what I like about him. He’s still new to the competitions but it’s going really well, I’m happy with his progress.”

Charlotte has another ride tonight, in the Grand Prix Special. “I also took Inclusive to Lier, for the CDI 3* Grand Prix. It’s his first big competition in a long time so it was still a bit too exciting for him yesterday, but we’ll see how that goes tonight in the Grand Prix Special. He is learning a lot and he is also a promising horse for the future.”

Photo: DigiShots – Charlotte Fry & Jackson