Five time Czech National Champion Sarka Charvatova and her 15-year old KWPN gelding Saint Tropez triumphed in the Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I at the 2014 CDI-W Brno on 19 - 22 June 2014. With scores just under 70%, the 34-year old is very glad to have the opportunity to participate in this international event in her home country.
“Saint Tropez was very focused, concentrated and was listening to me during the CDI,” Sarka told Eurodressage. “We managed to perfectly prepare for each test in the competition. The highlight was when we had the whole team together, and we sat down at home and realized what we have achieved, we deserved the celebration!”
According to 34-year old Sarka, development of equestrian sport in former Czechoslovakia was suppressed by the communism regime, but now dressage and all equestrian sports in the Czech Republic are coming along very well.
“We can now see increases in the quality of horses and riders and greater cooperation with foreign coaches as we try to catch up with the rest of Europe," she explained.
Trained by Coby and Marlies Van Baalen, Sarka loves every opportunity she gets to train with the Dutch pair, but says it is difficult due to the isolation of her home country.
“I appreciate a lot of lessons taken from Coby and Marlies and I feel that every moment spent alongside them is inspiring to me," she stated. "Unfortunately, the large distance complicates intensive cooperation.”
Charvatova discovered Saint Tropez in The Netherlands. The chestnut gelding (by Welt Hit II x Zonneglans) was initially owned by Coby's student Vincent van Gasselt and later on by another of her students, Mara de Vries, before selling to the Charvatova.
Sarka has also been participating in the Bohemia clinics with Dutch judge Monique Peutz, but in general Sarka trains at her home stable, the resort Riding Club NH Car, alongside her eventing partner Robert Pokorny. She enjoys giving dressage lessons to the surrounding community.
“I studied fashion design at high school and went on to study Social Pedagogy at the Masaryk University," she said. "After working for four years in a hospital, I now enjoy looking after my six year old son, Marek, and helping to run the riding club. My goals for this year are the Czech Championships in July and the Czech Dressage Cup championship . In the meantime, I'll try to confirm our level of performance at some more CDI events!”
Text by Sarah Warne - Photo © Lukasz Kowalsky
Related Links
Scores: 2014 CDI-W Brno
Photo Report: Scene Shots from the 2014 CDI-W Brno