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

Danish Ida Kirstine Bjørn smashes the Young Riders freestyle

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There were tears, cuddles and a smile from ear to ear. The Danish rider Ida Kirstine Bjørn is more than proud on her just 9-years-old lovely Hussmanns Jackson and couldn’t believe the smashing 77.183% she scored in the freestyle.

“This was so amazing. Hussmanns Jackson did so really well”, she told us afterwards. ”He just totally smashed our previous record in the freestyle. He scored so much higher than ever before, that’s just amazing. Specially in this big arena, with a lot of people.”

Just 9-years-old
“He is just 9-years-old and hasn’t got a lot of experience. We started riding Young Riders about a year ago. So I still feel he’s a little bit green sometimes. When I got him, he knew the changes, but he didn’t do competitions at all. I have him for one and a half year right now.” Hussmanns Jackson seems to like the arena in Lier. On the first day he took the win with a score of 71.961% and he became third on Thursday with a score of 71.079%.

“He likes the attention”
“On Thursday he got a bit tense but today he just enjoyed, I think he knows when people are looking at him. He likes the attention, but his power needs to be manageable, though. He has got a lot of blood and he is quite a sensitive horse, but that’s getting better and better. He’s really growing up and always putting his best foot forward.”

Final year as a Young Rider
Can you tell us something about your plans and dreams with Hussmanns Jackson? “It’s a bit scary to say, but I hope to go to the Europeans. Although we have got a lot of good riders and horses in Denmark. So we’ll see, but for now we will do the best we can. It’s my last year as a young rider so I just want to enjoy it.” And then, U25? “I’m sure he has got the potential for U25. So hopefully we can come back to Lier next year.”

Belgian Jette de Jong second
With a really small difference between the second and third place, the Belgian Jette de Jong took the silver spot. Her horse Heavenly Charming ended up with a score of 73.667%. The British Jessica McConkey scored 73.650% with Wilson Stensvang and became third.

Juniors
The Dutch Esmee Broers made it to a hattrick, winning the Freestyle with Kiki G as well today. The score of 74.833% did get her on top of the podium. The Belgian Anna Peeters became second with Harlekin, she scored 73.583%. Also the third place went to a Belgium rider. This time Clara Collard and Escape managed a top 3 result, with a score of 73.250%.

U25
The final class of today was the U25 and again it was an entire Dutch podium. Zoe Kuintjes made it to a third win this week with her partner in crime Cupido RS2. They scored 72.615% in their Freestyle. Julia Bouthoorn and Choice Finch became second with a score of 71.510%. The third place was for Lotte van den Herik and her stallion Giovanni. Their performance was rewarded with a score of 70.755%.

Results

Photo Ida Kirstine Bjørn: Digishots

Come and visit CDI Lier

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CDI Lier is halfway. We have had some amazing days already and there are still a few magnificent days to come! And the best of it? You can join us.

After the Freestyles of the Juniors, Young Riders and U25 there will be a riders party tonight. The program continues with the CDI1* Inter I, the 4* Grand Prix, the 3* Grand Prix Special and on top the 3* Grand Prix Freestyle, on Saturday.

Also Sunday will be spectacular. Besides the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle there will be a clinic with Kevin van Ham and Tineke Bartels. Kevin is a Belgium Para Dressage rider who competed at the Paralympic Games of Tokyo and the World Championships of Herning, and on top of that he also competes at regular Grand Prix level, with the same horse. That’s absolutely unique. The well-known Tineke Bartels is a former Olympic rider from the Netherlands.

Make sure you attend CDI Lier on Sunday and don’t miss a thing of the clinic that will be around 14.30 and in between the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.

The entree fee on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is 10 euro, tickets will be sold at the entrance. Parking is for free. You are more than welcome to visit CDI Lier.

Program

Jos Struys: “I never find it boring”

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Who doesn’t know him? He is a familiar face at national and international competitions and so too at CDI Lier. He has been working there since the first edition. Without him, no rider would be able to start, as he is responsible for opening and closing the arena. We are talking about Jos Struys.

Jos Struys
CDI Lier 2023
© DigiShots

What he likes most about CDI Lier? “The people and the stewards, I’ve known them for years.” He sees all the horses very closely and does his task with concentration. “I keep an eye on everything. I am not allowed to move and I watch carefully what the judges are doing.” And that is important. “I noticed once that the judge’s bell stopped working. I have to keep an eye on that.” Whether what he does is boring? “No, I never find it boring.”

Jos is a real horse lover and thanks to his work he has been to many places. “I like being at hotels. It’s nice and here they also have a very nice hotel.” Does he ever go on holiday? “This is my holiday, I just grew into it that way. I do get busier and busier, because it’s hard to get volunteers.” But Jos doesn’t seem to mind.

When not at work, Jos can be found among the horses. “I have three horses I take care of sometimes. I go there by bike. One of them is as tall as 1.80m. I give them attention and sometimes I have to put blankets on. My sponsor Onori made those.” Proudly, Jos shows a photo. “That horse is attached to me, and I to the horse. When he sees me, he is happy. Horses have to get to know you.”

What he likes best about his work? “That I can be close to the horses. I hope to continue doing this work for years to come.” And we hope so too!

Three in a row for Belgian Liezel Everars

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Day after day the Belgium’s Liezel Everars managed to crush her competitors and so she did tonight in the Pony freestyle. With almost 3% difference, she won the third pony class on her well-moving pony FS Capelli De Niro.

Liezel Everars had a good start to her final season in the ponies at CDI Lier. The rider hopes to compete in her fifth pony EC this summer. “That would be a nice conclusion to my pony time”, she said.

Rising line
Dutch Sissi Gijssen climbed a spot in the rankings every day. On Tuesday she became fourth, yesterday third and today there was a second place in the freestyle. Riding her pony New Star 8, her freestyle was rewarded with 74.833%.

Successful Maddy Dijkshoorn
Maddy Dijkshoorn also enjoyed a successful CDI Lier. She managed to secure a place on the podium for three days. During the first two days she finished second and today she added a third place to her list of honours. She did so in the saddle of Boogie de L’Aube and today’s result was 72.975%. Belgium’s Anna Peeters and her pony Balotelli finished just outside the podium today with fourth place and a score of 72.500%.

Three different winners
The Children also entered the beautiful arena of CDI Lier for the third and final time. In this class, every day a different combination managed to finish on top and today this honour went to Germany’s Grete Louise Wagner. With her Furst Deluxe (by Fuerstenball), she scored 73.139% in the Individual Test. Yesterday’s winner, Turkish Lal Mira Gürgen became second in the saddle of her Lowland (by Bordeaux) with a score of 72.792%. Third was the winner of the first day, Sophie Evers. She rode her Beaumonde (by United) to a score of 71.148%.

Results

Photo Liezel Everars: Digishots

World champion Charlotte Fry in the lead in Small Tour

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After two days full of youth riders, today the riders of the CDI1* showed off. No less than 31 participants took part in the Prix St. Georges class. World champion Charlotte Fry came, saw and conquered, with over 3% difference.

Her 9-year-old Everdale son Jackson ran to a score of 73.941%, bettering his PR score. The Van Olst-bred gelding was unanimously placed first by the judging panel.

Scores close together
Dutch rider Marieke Ponzo Dieu-de Pundert became second, riding her Haliego (by Diego) to 70.677%. The scores of the rest of the top five were close together: Dominique Fillion followed in third place by sending The Boss (by Boston) to 70.265%. Dutch Quinty Vossers also did well and ended at the fourth place. She rode Inferno (by Everdale) to 70.235%, narrowly missing out on the podium. Belgium’s Jorinde Verwimp completed the top five with Gold Dream vd Kempenhoeve (by Jazz).

International debut
The 11-year-old The Boss made his international debut under the Dutch rider Dominique Filion, and he impresses with a third place. “I am of course very happy, this is my first international competition with him. I went with no expectations, although of course you hope to do as well as possible”, Dominique responded enthusiastically afterwards. “And he did very well. It confirmed what I think about this horse. He has a very good attitude.”

Very good memories
This is not the first time Dominique has competed at CDI Lier. In 2020, she managed to win two classes with Frida K. “I really love this competition, it’s so fun riding here. There is always a very good atmosphere. And I have very good memories of CDI Lier with Frida, winning the Small Tour. It is well organized, with eye for the horses, you ride in a nice ambiance, there is a great restaurant and very nice stables. Both for riders and horses it is absolutely amazing to be here.” Back to The Boss. What do you think about your chances for the next couple days? “I haven’t ridden the Inter I test that often yet, so it could still go either way. We are not yet confirmed at this level, but I am looking forward to it. That for sure! We live with the day, so today I’m really very happy”, Dominique concludes.

Results

Photo Charlotte Fry: Digishots

Twofold U25-winner Zoë Kuintjes uses CDI Lier as steppingstone for EC U25

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22-year-old Zoë Kuintjes has been riding in the U25 since last year. Earlier this year, she also made her Grand Prix debut. At CDI Lier, she won both U25 classes and told us that she will start her own stables.

Zoë Kuintjes knows how fast things can go. Since last year, she has been a combination with Cupido, who is owned by RS2 Dressage. With the former Grand Prix horse of Seth Bosman and Robin van Lierop, the intention was to quietly gain experience, but ended in a reserve spot for the U25 European Championship team. “That experience helps us this season”, says the enthusiastic rider.

Zoe Kuintjes (NED) – Cupido
CDI Lier 2023
© DigiShots

Focus on U25
“Early this year I rode at Amsterdam, now at Lier and then I hope to go to Aachen in a few weeks’ so that we can get the right form for the qualifications for the EC. I really want to focus with Cup on the U25 this year and to ride some nice competitions.”

CDI Lier is marked in her agenda
According to Zoë, one of those nice competitions is CDI Lier. It’s marked in her agenda. “CDI Lier is well organized and you get the change to ride in a beautiful entourage. The first year I came here with my pony and since then I always try to be there. And of course, it is extra nice to win here, especially in the U25.” Both days she managed to win the U25 trials by about 2 per cent distance. Tomorrow the freestyle is on the programme.

Grand Prix debut
Riding Grand Prix is something different than riding U25, Zoë found out recently. “Yes, that was a bit tough,” she laughs. “Cupido already knows what to do and it came out that way to start Grand Prix now. I thought he could also possibly help me through the test if necessary.” And was that necessary? “Well, it’s really different from a U25 test anyway. You have the same exercises but it’s still a bit tough. Cupido knew very well what he had to do so our score of 69% was not bad at all, but there were still some bumps in it. It was really nice to get this experience in advance.”

Own dressage business
Zoë’s focus is not just on U25 riding this year. From 1 April, Kirsten Brouwer’s former stable rider will start her own dressage stable. “I got so many requests that it became increasingly difficult to continue riding at Brouwer Stables. So that’s why I decided to start my own dressage business.” She hopes to combine the international competitions with some younger horses to train. ” I do really enjoy riding internationally, especially now that I have Cupido. Next to that, I would like to train horses for clients. Training young horses also really gives me a lot of pleasure.” And ultimately? “I would like to compete successfully at the seniors,” Zoë concludes.

Photos Digishots

Liezel Everars unbeatable in Pony Class: “I want to get the best out of my pony”

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She did it again, the Belgium pony rider Liezel Everars was the very best in the Pony Class of CDI Lier, just like yesterday. “I want to get the best out of my pony because it’s my final competition year with him”, she told us right after her performance.

With a score of over 75% Liezel and FS Capelli de Niro performed really well at their first international competition of the year. “CDI Lier is such a beautiful competition to ride at, and up front you never know how things will turn out. But at least we always do our very best.”

Four European Championships
The combination isn’t unexperienced at all. They took part at four European Championships already and they are hoping to add another one this summer. “It’s our first international competition of the year, and there are still things to improve but I’m very happy with my pony. He loves all the attention and is a food addict as well”, laughs Liezel. FS Capelli de Niro is her partner in crime for already four years. “My most special memories are the Europeans, and hopefully we can close our pony time with another European Championship. For tomorrow I will try to do the same as the last two days”, decides Liezel.

12-year-old made international debut
Unlike the experienced Liezel, 12-years-old Alexine made her international debut at the Pony Class. This Belgium rider did really well with her amazing pony Terbofens Charico. “This is my first international competition. I found it very exciting and we gained a lot of experience.” Today they became 17th with a score of over 66%, yesterday they ended 14th also with a score over 66%.

Flying start
Alexine and Charico are together for just 3 months. In January they rode their first national competition and now they were all set to make their international debut. “Luckily Charico has a lot of experience and quality. We trained a lot and I had to learn to memorize all the tests.” Spoken about a flying start.

Little girls, big dreams
Little girls, big dreams. Alexine’s her idol? The Olympic Champion Charlotte Dujardin, of course. “I would love to ride once at the Olympics”, says Alexine with a twinkle in her eyes. But for now she is over the moon with her pony. “I’m really happy with him and hope to gain a lot of experience at competitions. And he’s for sure very sweet and loves to cuddle, that’s what I also really like about him.”

Dutch 2nd and 3rd
Just like yesterday, the second and third place were for Dutch riders. Maddy Dijkshoorn ended as second with her pony Boogie de L’Aube and scored 72.793%. The Dutch Sissi Gijssen ended as third with her pony New Star 8 and gained a score of 72.207%.

Results

Sunday’s Clinic: Olympic Para Dressage Rider Kevin van Ham and Olympic Tineke Bartels

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Sunday will be spectacular! Besides the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle there will be a clinic with Kevin van Ham and Tineke Bartels.

Kevin is a Belgium Para Dressage rider who competed at the Paralympic Games of Tokyo and the World Championships of Herning, and on top of that he also competes at regular Grand Prix level, WITH THE SAME HORSE. That’s absolutely unique. The well-known Tineke Bartels is a former Olympic rider from the Netherlands.

Some facts about Kevin:

  • He’s a student of the Belgium Olympic rider Jorinde Verwimp
  • He’s riding Para Dressage Grade V and Grand Prix with the same horse
  • He was born without a left forearm
  • He braids his horse himself

Jorinde Verwimp and Kevin went to Doha last week where he won the Freestyle with his horse Eros van ons Heem. “It’s really special to train together with Kevin”, explains Jorinde. “It’s amazing to see how handy he is as a rider and how he takes care of his horses.  He can do everything by himself even by missing his left forearm. And what I like the most is that he’s doing a great job at the regular Grand Prix as well. I think he’s the only Para Dressage rider who has achieved this.”

Be sure you attend CDI Lier on Sunday and don’t miss a thing of the clinic that will be around 14.30 and in between the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. The entree fee on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is 10 euro, tickets will be sold at the entrance. Parking is for free.

Youth riders impresses at first day

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“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