Routinier Angela Krooswijk and the 15-year old Rhinelander branded stallion Roman Nature (by Rohdiamant x Ehrentusch x Pasternak) could not be beaten in the young riders' team championship test at the 2011 CDI Zwolle, hosted in the Ijsselhallen in Zwolle, The Netherlands, on Thursday 7 January 2011.
Coby van Baalen's student Krooswijk seasoned international competitor and produced each test with much confidence and assurance. Though signs of mileage are starting to show on her schoolmaster Roman Nature, Krooswijk was able to produce fluent trot work with nice half passes. The walk pirouette right got slightly stuck but the collected and extended walk were good in rhythm. The canter pirouettes and half passes were solid and even though the tempi's were correct, the dark bay stallion lost some impulsion and forwardness in the changes.
The judges' panel, consisting of Ernes (NED), Van Daele (BEL) and Peeters (NED), were unanimous in their decision and gave Krooswijk the winning mark of 72.324%.
Melissa Tychon and her 11-year old Trakehner gelding Marinetty (by Solero x Itaxerxes) improved massively over the autumn and winter months and the bay gelding appeared much strengthened and more self carried in the show ring. The trot work was powerful, energetic and with much cadence. The horse became a bit tense in canter and dropped to trot briefly, but the flying changes were nicely uphill. They got 70.263%.
Brigit van der Drift and her talented 10-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Twister (by Havidoff x Caruso) finished third. The bay gelding has a very impressive front leg and has much scope in trot but he risks getting a bit too hectic. The collected walk was beautiful. In canter the right pirouette lacked collection and the tempi changes every three strides were not so straight. The pair earned 68.815%.
Machteld Hoeflake and her chunky KWPN mare Paso Doble (by Krack C Orlof) landed a fourth place. The bright bay mare moved with good energy and electricity from behind, but in general should have more uphill both in trot and canter. The pirouettes were lovely and the combination got 68.070%.
Marjolein Cho Chia Yuen and her Oldenburg gelding Pepper (by Pablo x Placido) ranked fifth in a field of 20 competitors. The refined looking dark bay gelding was slightly tense throughout the test while his rider sat in a chair seat position. Cho was able to ride good trot work, but in the walk Pepper jogged. Cho held her hands on her knees in the collection walk in an attempt to control the tempo but it looked constricted. Fortunately in the canter, the combination was able to sparkle and especially the tempi changes were delightful. The duo got 67.894%.
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No Reproduction Allowed
Related Links
Coverage of the 2011 CDI Zwolle
Scores 2011 CDI Zwolle