Belgian Grand Prix rider Julie de Deken has been proclaimed "Talent of the Year 2010" at the 2010 CDI-W Mechelen on Monday 26 December 2010. The 25-year old De Deken is the first dressage rider of the VLP Talent Team to be elected Talent of the Year.
The Nijlen based De Deken beat show jumping riders Jeroen Appelen and Jody Bosteels, who tied for second place, through an official voting system. Five categories determined the winner: press, experrts, VLP board of directors, and the general public were able to vote. However the results ranking was also taken into account.
Julie de Deken is a Bachelor in Pyschology and is currently studying sports, economics and communication. She has been training for years with Tineke and Imke Schellekens-Bartels in The Netherlands. De Deken has been on the Talent Team since 2007 and already once finished third in the election of Talent of the Year.
In 2010 Julie de Deken made her break through at Grand Prix level aboard her 12-year old Westfalian gelding Fazzino (by Florestan x Rivellino xx). She won the Under 25 Grand Prix competition at the prestigious CDIO Aachen. She was fourth in the Grand Prix at the 2010 Belgian Championships and placed second in the Grand Prix Special at the CDI Odense. Julie also competed the small tour horse Lucky Dance (by Lucky Lionell x Placido Sun) with whom she will be riding Grand Prix as well in 2011.
As Talent of the Year, De Deken received a cheque of 7,500 euro which she is allowed to spend on extra training.
Related Links
Belgian Sensation: Julie de Deken wins Intermediaire II in Aachen Under 25 Competition
Belgian Sensation Continued: De Deken Stays Ahead in Aachen Under 25 Competition
Fazzino Sold to Julie de Deken
Tannenhofs Lucky Dance Sold to Julie de Deken