The Dutch dressage breeding and stallion owners' syndicate IPS Horse Group has welcomed Belgian Grand Prix rider Julie de Deken on its team so the company can develop and strengthen its Belgian branch with headquarters in Weelde, Belgium.
IPS Horse Group is renowned in The Netherlands for sponsoring riders such as Anky van Grunsven, Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud. However, two of its Belgian team riders made major headlines in the summer by becoming finallists at the 2011 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany. Tom Franckx and the licensed stallion Bon Bravour (by Painted Black x Chronos) finished fourth in the 5-year old Finals and Larissa Pauluis and the licensed Oldenburg stallion Don Massimo (by Don Larino) were 13th in the 6-year old Finals. Both IPS owned horses also became 2011 Belgian Young Horse Champions.
Recently IPS established a long-term co-operation with Tom Franckx. "He has more than proven to be a talented international rider for young horses," said IPS spokesperson Erwin Samuels. The group is now expanding its team with Julie de Deken, who in recent years has achieved many international successes in the small and big tour and was named Belgian Talent of the Year 2010.
"Julie de Deken is a welcome addition for the training and competing of our horses, considering her experience at the highest level, which is our ultimate goal," added Samuels. "Thanks to her personality and way of riding she totally fits into our philosophy of training horses."
Julie de Deken has been a long-time student of Tineke Bartels. In 2010 she won the inaugural Under 25 competition classes at the prestigious CDIO Aachen.
De Deken is excited about this new venture: "This co-operation is a great stimulus for me. As a young top athlete in the dressage world I think it's a fantastic opportunity to connect my name to the IPS Horse Group," said De Deken. "They offer me the possibility to develop my career on a high performance competition and commercial level by working with the best horses in the best training environment. I'm extremely motivated to dedicate myself in a positive way to this partnership."
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Julie de Deken
Belgian Sensation Continued: De Deken Stays Ahead in Aachen Under 25 Competition
Julie de Deken, Belgian Talent of the Year 2010
Tannenhofs Lucky Dance Sold to Julie de Deken
Hyrano, Bon Bravour and Don Massimo Win 2011 Belgian Young Horse Championships
Belgian Horses Qualified for 2011 World Young Horse Championships