Danielle Heijkoop Makes Bold Move into the Big League at 2013 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch

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2013 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch

Recently making her move into the big league Dutch rider Danielle Heijkoop came home from this month's CDI 4* Hertogenboschas as the double runner-up aboard her Dutch warmblood gelding Siro behind fellow countryman Edward Gal. She feels her success in the Under 25's had fully prepared her for the move into seniors.

"The under 25 brought me to many beautiful competitions, including two times in Aachen, where I felt both rides were extremely special," Danielle told Eurodressage. "You learn so much in such a competition simply by looking at others, and witnessing the Grand Prix components put together in such a beautiful arena. It really is an intermediate class, and also in the U25 I achieved some very nice scores above 70%, and this therefore, made the transition to the seniors much easier."

Taking the arena on Siro, a descendant by Gribaldi out of a Hemmingway dam, Danielle scored 71.532% in the Grand Prix 4* and 78.525% in the Grand Prix 4* Kur. She knows there is even more to come from this very willing horse. "Siro is a very diligent horse and sometimes he can be a little impatient especially when getting rewards, but he is also a very nice horse to work with and always does his best," she said.

In Den Bosch Heijkoop felt Siro was working really well, especially in the freestyle to music. "The Grand Prix I felt I drove myself a little too cautiously and I think now I must get more experience at this level, as there is still plenty of room for improvement."

Danielle and Siro in Den Bosch Unable to really compare Siro to any human she has ever met, Danielle feels he is really her buddy and has enjoyed all the fun they have shared, learning to ride at Grand Prix level together. "We have grown together and gone through this process together," she explained. "Therefore we have a very good and special relationship."

Currently trained by Anky Van Grunsven, Danielle was previously working with Coby van Baalan, but felt the move really made sense for her and her horse. "I had many very good experiences learning to ride with Coby and both Anky and Coby are very good coaches. I just feel that Anky fits perfectly with me as she knows me well, and can encourage me. We have a very good click."

Working with her very talented partner, Danielle knows that Siro is strong in the piaffe and passage tour and her training is mainly focused on the basics. "I am aiming to get him looser through the body and with more obedience, as well as concentrating on maintaining the control; before, during and after exercises," she stated.

Set to get more miles under her belt, Danielle will continue to grow with her partner with the goal of scoring themselves a spot on the Dutch team for the 2013 European Championships in Herning, Denmark, in August. "We will of course do our utmost to be selected," she confirmed.