Finishing in an unlucky fourth position were Marrigje van Baalen and her Rhinelander breeding stallion Power and Paint. Dutch team member Marrigje, niece to Dutch Olympic team rider Coby van Baalen
, started the competition as an individual medal hopeful, but unfortunately, the 15-year old Van Baalen succumbed to the stress in the final phase of the competition.
Her preliminary test was strong and confident. With 71.48% they finished third. In the team championship test, Van Baalen and Power and Paint held their third position with a 73.00%, being the anchor for winning the silver team medal with the Dutch team. However, in the individual finals too much pressure rested on Van Baalen's shoulders as she wanted to live up to the dream of winning an individual medal.
Although she held a firm grip on the bronze medal, Marrigje van Baalen rode a solid test which earned her 73.22%. Yet, this score placed her fourth overall and her dream was shattered. Although many tears flooded from her eyes, Marrigje van Baalen can still look back on a wonderful 2003 European Pony Championships.
Marrigje van Baalen has been riding horses from early age. In 2001, at age 13, she was meant to ride horses but the offer came to ride the delightful pony stallion Power and Paint (by Power Boy x Dancer). Through the liaisons of her aunt Coby van Baalen and Johan Hinnemann, Power and Paint's owner Renate Pasch from Krefeld, Germany, put the buckskin pony stallion at Van Baalen's disposal. "He knew more than I. I learnt everything from him" Marrigje said.
Living in Utrecht with her mother Marianne Dorresteijn, also a famous Dutch Grand Prix rider, Marrigje travels to Coby's place in Brakel, The Netherlands, five times a week to train her pony. Marrigje is extremely happy about her pony Power and Paint. "Everything is great about him, his character, riding him, to go to shows with him."
Marrigje is not certain if she will be riding the FEI pony tests next year. "Maybe I'll show Power next year, otherwise I'll move to the junior riders' division. Normally there are good horses for me ready at Coby's stable. I'm in a fortunate position, I get so much support. On your own, you got nowhere," Marrigje stated.
Image copyrighted: Paul van Oers