Swedish Emelie Aldenfalk and 10-year old Winton made a big international splash in the junior division at the 2014 CDI Kapellen on 22 - 25 May 2014. The new comers took the team, individual and kur test victory and are now well on their way to representing Sweden at this year’s European Championships in Arezzo, Italy.
“My horse felt amazing in Kapellen, he was just perfect,” said the 18-year old. “I think that all things in all three tests were good, I felt that all three tests were even and nice.”
She scored 71.270% in the team championship test, 71.789% in the individual and 73.900% in the Kur to Music. She twice fended off Holland based Russian junior Aleksandra Maksakova, referring her and her black gelding Scampalo to second place. In the kur the Swedish beat Dutch rider, former European Pony Champion Sanne Vos on her new ride Christobalito.
Trained by Maj-Karin Ekblom Alhberg at her home in Sweden, Emelie also enjoys occasional lessons from Lian Wachtmeister and Mads Hendeliowitz. Emelie told Eurodressage that her horse, the 10-year old Swedish warmblood Winton (by Warsteiner x Donnerfly x Eminent), has a very special personality and confessed he doesn’t like people he does not know.
“I bought Winton from the Ridschool Strömsholm in Sweden three years ago. At the time he was six and I was fourteen. During our four years together, I have tried to always be focused and aim to ensure the horse is listening to me all the time," she explained.
Now in her last year of high school, Emelie hopes to pursue a future with horses and continue working towards that goal this year. She has a second horse to ride, the 4-year old Jinx (by Johnson x Sandro Song).
"This year I hope that I'm one of the riders who will be representing Sweden at the European Junior Riders Championship and after school I want and hope to be a professional rider," she said.
Text © Sarah Warne
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Eurodressage's Astrid Appels was on the scene taking photos of ALL riders at the CDI Kapellen. Contact us if you are interested in photo prints, collages or albums.
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