Lavinia Arl Moves on to Horses and Junior Riders Level

Dressage

Belgian Dressage News

Belgian FEI dressage pony team rider Lavinia Arl has decided to move on to horses and to junior riders' level after topping off her pony career with a glorious victory at the 2013 Belgian Pony Championships in Hulsterlo on 1 - 4 August 2013.

Fifteen year old Lavinia still has one year to go in ponies, but is eager to make a permanent transition to juniors for the 2014 show sseaon, as she has a fitting junior rider's horse, Equestricons Next One (by Florestan x Parademarsch), waiting for her. Aboard the Westfalian gelding she won two junior classes at the 2013 CDI Kappelen last weekend. With the Grand Prix schoolmaster Don't Forget (by De Niro x Andiamo) she will be getting her feeth wet at young riders' level in 2014.

"I had an amazing time riding Epiascer and he has taken me to the most amazing shows," Lavinia told Eurodressage. "I have learnt so much from him and feel ready now to start with horses."

Thank you Equestricons Epiascer Trained by Carmen de Bondt, Lavinia had a short but highly successful career in ponies. She started to compete at international pony level with Darius in 2011 and became the alternate on the Belgian team for the 2011 European Pony Championships. In the winter of 2011, Arl began competing Equestricons Epiascer, who was Belgium's number one pony the year before under Charlotte Defalque.

Aboard the now 13-year old Belgian riding pony Epiascer (by Ten Ankers Jerolianca x Large River Cleopas) Lavinia became the 2012 and 2013 Belgian Pony Champion and she was the best performing Belgian rider at the European Pony Championships. In 2012 they finished 15th in the Kur to Music Finals, in 2013 they were 10th in the Kur. The past two years Lavinia and Epiascer were one of the few combinations consistently placing at the top of the ranking at various international pony competitions, such as Drachten, Saumur, Moorsele, Compiegne, Leudelange, and Vidauban.

The podium at the 2013 Belgian Pony Championships: Kayleigh Buelens, Lavinia Arl, Antonia Arl Lavinia is also member of a very elite club of pony riders able to score above 80%. Arl and Epiascer scored 80.292% in the freestyle at the 2012 CDI Pompadour and joined the select few (Phoebe Peters, Semmieke Rothenberger, Lisanne Zoutendijk, Sanne Vos, Dana van Lierop) who have accomplished this extraordinary feat.

Lavinia's youngster sister Antonia, who won bronze at the 2013 Belgian Championships after finishing in a strong second place in the Kur with Defilee de Mode (by Danny Gold x Nightfever), will take over the ride on Espiascer. Defilee de Mode was leased for one year from the Cichos family, but the dark bay gelding has now been acquired by the Arl family and will carry the Equestricon prefix as of next year.