Belgian FEI Pony rider Charlotte Defalque were victorious in the pony classes at the 2011 CDI-P Roosendaal held at Stable den Goubergh on 6 - 8 May 2011. Trained by Carmen de Bondt, Defalque and her temperamental Belgian Riding Pony Epiascer (by Ten Ankers Jerolianca) finally found their groove in the show ring and emerged as one of the most powerful pony combinations in Europe at the moment!
Riding the dark bay Epiascer is certainly a challenge as the gelding can get as hot as a cracker in the competition ring and loses his suave silhouette in all his haste. However the petite and talented Defalque has cracked the code to getting Epiascer in total harmony with her and the combination has become a spectacular one to watch.
Epiascer is always constant in the frame with the poll as highest point. He has tons of expression in his cadenced and rhythmical trot which shows off the pony's excellent self carriage. The extended walk could have a bit more overtrack but was good in relaxation. In canter there was super control and both the counter canter and simple changes were professionally executed. The pony could have a bit more ground cover especially in canter, but his tests in Roosendaal were a joy to watch!
Defalque won the team championship test with 71.57% and individual test with 73.03% and was the only rider to score over 70% in those two rounds. In the Kur to Music they were third with 72.290%. "He went really well, I'm so happy," said Defalque. "This was really special."
A group of fiive Dutch pony riders followed in Defalque's wake and they interchanged positions in the course of the competition. Lotte Meulendijks and her 15-year old German Riding pony Boticelli (by Brillant) finished second in the team test (68.49%) but strangely dropped to a 5th place in the individual (68.60%) after a wonderful ride. In that test the combination excelled with their focus and harmony and beautiful canter work, but in the trot extensions the pony needs to cover more ground. In the kur they were 7th with 68.960%.
New comer this season, Febe van Zwambagt and her 7-year old New Forest Pony Prince Z (by Make My Day), competed at their second CDI show in their career and scored excellently. They were fifth in the team test with 68.66%, remarkably second in the individual (69.43%) and fourth in the Kur (71.080%). Febe's black gelding is a highly refined, cute and elegant pony with great appeal in the show ring, but the walk needs to improve much as he paces in the collected walk.
Despite the sale of her 2010 Dutch team pony Lord Champion to Germany, Dana van Lierop is trotting on with two new rides: one with even more potential than Lord Champion, another which still requires some work but which probably won't hit the same league. Aboard Lavinia Arl's beautiful German Reitpony mare Day of Diva (by Don't Worry) Dana was third in the team test (69.26%) and individual (69.25%) and second in the Kur to Music (73.250%). The elegant palomino mare has a fantastic trot with wonderful front leg activity. She should be more ground covering in walk and in the extended canter the mare tends to lose the uphill tendency and roundness in her stride. The simple changes and balanced voltes in trot were the highlight of their individual test.
An upcoming Dutch pony pair are Sanne Vos and the German Reitpony mare Champ of Class (by Champion de Luxe). The former Bundeschampionate finalist is only 7 years old and her inexperience slightly shows in the ring. Nonetheless, they were fourth in the team test (68.75%) and individual (68.95%) and won the Kur to Music with a staggering 75.040%. The gorgeous but slightly chubby and short necked buckskin mare has much self carriage in trot but could improve on balance in the voltes. The extended walk is extraordinary with three hooves overstep. In canter she could show slightly more relaxation in the body, but has plenty of potential.
One of the most talented FEI dressage ponies on the scene was without a doubt the exceptional German reitpony mare Nice Blue Eyes (by Nortre Beau x Principal Boy). The black mare with blue eyes has very long legs with tremendous scope and stride, which makes her look like a Grand Prix dressage horse. Owned by Sissy Max-Theurer, Nice Blue Eyes competed at her second CDI with Estelle Wettstein. In the individual test the 7-year old mare was rushed through the trot and canter workd, which made her lose her self-carriage and rhythm. With some more relaxation and balance this pony can truly shine in the future. In Roosendaal, they finished 8th in the team test (67.96%), 7th in the individual (67.98%) and 9th in the Kur (68.120%).
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-PJYR Roosendaal
Photo Report: Kooijman in Charge at 2011 CDI-JR Roosendaal
Photo Report: Triple Win for Young Rider Krooswijk at 2011 CDI-YR Roosendaal