Some stand out Under 25 combinations caught the attention of the crowds and judges at the 2015 CDIO Hagen on 9 - 12 July 2015. While Nicoline Graff and Donnerfee, Svenja Peper and Disneyworld, Josefin Gyllensward and Don Angelo, and Ryan Todd with Charlex didn't win any trophies in either of the two under 25 tests, each pair showed great potential for future success.
Fourth in the Under 25 Grand Prix for Germany on 71.047%, Svenja Peper was riding 12-year old Disneyworld (by Walt Disney x De Niro), and says that Hagen was a huge success for him, especially considering that it was the first international Under 25 Grand Prix ever for this horse.
“It is always a pleasure to come back to Hagen, and the organisation, atmosphere, hospitality, and training facilities were perfect as usual,” Svenja told Eurodressage. “We hoped to get a spot in the placings, but to be placed 7th and 4th exceeded my expectations. There are always small things that could have been better of course, but I was really more than happy with our results.”
Disney, according to Svenja, is very talented and ambitious, eager to learn and very trust worthy. “While I was very satisfied we are still working to improve strength and expression, particularly in the piaffe and passage," she explained.
Trained by Oliver Oelrich and Peter Koch, Svenja has her own stable close to Hamburg and is also riding and developing some young horses.
“My aim is to steadily improve and establish myself at national and international Grand Prix next year, as I am turning 25 in September. Outside my riding I hope to further educate myself in the field of physiotherapy. I am working part time as physiotherapist and maybe combine my passion for riding with my job in the future.”
Tenth on 69.186% in the Short Grand Prix, Nicoline Graff and her 12-year old mare Donnerfee (by Don Frederico) felt that Hagen was great in all matters: warm welcome, great stable area, very nice training facilities, great arena.
“Being the very last rider in the team contest was quite a task as I knew that more than 71% was needed for us to get the bronze medal, but we did it,” said Nicoline. “I really enjoyed the arena that night and so did Donnerfee. We have only been riding at Grand Prix level three times before Hagen. I was thrilled by her performance and our relationship is just getting better and better at each show!”
With another Grand Prix horse in work, the 11-year old gelding Sandagergårds Lorentino, Graf won the 2012 Nordic Championship as a Young Rider. “I’m hoping that he will be going with me to Hagen for my last Under 25 year next year," she added.
Besides her dressage life, Nicoline is studying chemical Engineering and hopes to be riding senior Grand Prix classes on Donnerfee next year.
In 12th place for Sweden, Josefin Gyllensward and 10-year old Don Angelo (by Danone x Donnerschwee) scored 68.302% in the ShortGrand Prix. The rider was particularly happy with the scores as she had quite a few mistakes.
“With the bigger atmosphere he needed more help than I could give to him," said Josefin. "The first day he was a bit fresher and the second day we seemed to have found our feet better but we have so much more to give. We are still quite new to the big competitions and I need more experience.
Don Angelo, who is nick named Donald, is credit for his amazing work ethic.
"My horse is such a star and for his young age he still helped me out on the second competition day. He has his little quirks but I love him," she said. "He can be a little bit grumpy like an old man sometimes and he did not perform anywhere near his full potential in Hagen, he has got so much to give and I'm still only riding in first or second gear. I can't wait to get to the sixth gear!”
Training with Nicky Barrett and David Hunt from Great Britain, Josefin relies on British coaches to improve her riding skills. Nicky was in Hagen with Josefin and the youngster is really thankful for her help.
“She's worth her weight in gold to me, and it's a huge help that at the moment I'm based in the UK at Nicky’s yard. My plan is to hopefully do the Europeans for Under 25 next year and also gain more experience and become a better rider. Donald is limitless and has no real weakness in the Grand Prix so I'm really exited about what the future will bring.”
In 18th spot in the Under 25 Grand Prix, Ryan Todd for Great Britain rode his steady partner, 14-year old Danish Warmblood Charlex Eskebjerg (by Carano). the pair earned a score of 64.744%.
“Hagen was a great show. It felt amazing to be at the same competition with Totilas himself, along with many other top riders and horses from other nations," said Todd. "The standard of horse and rider combinations at Hagen were the strongest I have ever been in the company of. To be honest, at such an early stage in my Grand Prix career I'm really pleased how it is going. Yes, okay we had a couple of expensive mistakes, but those mistakes are hopefully there to learn from. It is quite a big step from Young Riders to Under 25, and the quality of what I am up against at shows such as Hagen and Rotterdam is phenomenal, so I'm really pleased."
Charlex Eskebjerg is bred by Carl Mortensen and has the best personality. According to Ryan he is always cheery and almost a little bit too happy as he can get quite cheeky. “We have a really good friendship," he added.
Trained by Laura Tomlinson, Ryan is based at his own yard in Yorkshire, and travels down to Laura's each month for a 3-day stay.
“We try to take 2 horses down at a time and so far it has been working really well. The techniques I have learnt from them have made a huge impact on my performance. At home we have a range young horses and also horses that are moving up the levels. My aim with them is always Grand Prix, although I am very realistic in terms of how difficult it can be to get to that stage, it's definitely a long process," said Todd.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED
Eurodressage's Astrid Appels took photos of all CDI 4*, Under 25, and small tour riders competing in Hagen. If you are interested in photos, contact us by email with your name and the name of the horse
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2015 CDIO Hagen