Dutch junior team rider Anne Meulendijks has become an official staff member at Tineke Bartels' Academy in Hooge Mierde, The Netherlands. The 18-year old is replacing Pim Candel, who decided to go independent and resigned from the Academy a few weeks ago.
Anne Meulendijks is one of Holland's most successful youth riders. In 2008 she was member of the Dutch pony team at the European Pony Championships. She won team silver and finished 11th individually with Boticelli.
In 2009 she made her transition to junior rider's level with Tom Tom Go (by Cabochon), a horse which her parents bought from Dutch pony chef d'equipe Christa Laarakkers. While the bay Dutch warmblood provided her good experience, it was Grand Prix schoolmaster Ohio (by Indoctro) which became instrumental for her career.
Aboard Ohio, Meulendijks won team silver at the 2010 European Junior Riders Championships and slotted in fifth in the Kur to Music Finals. This year she won team bronze at the 2011 European Junior Riders Championships and ranked 7th in the Kur to Music Finals. She won bronze at the 2011 Dutch Dressage Championships.
Meulendijks is joining her team mate Stephanie Kooijman who also works at Bartels' Academy. Tineke Bartels is the Dutch pony, junior and young rider chef d'equipe and trainer (and mom) to Dutch team rider Imke Schellekens-Bartels.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Anne Meulendijks
Minderhoud, Witte-Vrees, Krooswijk and Te Riele Proclaimed 2011 Dutch Dressage Champions
Broere Montecristo and Phoenix to Anne Meulendijks