The young Dutch warmblood licensed stallion Gunner KS and the Grand Prix level trained Dutch warmblood gelding Vonkenstein have been allocated new riders this week.
Laurens van Lieren has lost the ride on the 5-year old chestnut KWPN stallion Gunner KS (by Belissimo M x Vincent x Donnerhall) and the horse has moved to the stables of horse dealer Nico Witte where 2015 European Young Riders champion Dana van Lierop will take over the training and competing of the horse. Gunner KS is owned by the Kleijwegt family.
A disagreement with the owners of Gunner KS led to the change of rider. "Laurens is very disappointed to lose one of his favourites, but he acknowledges it is for the better. He doesn't wish to comment more on the situation but wishes Dana van Lierop all the best," van Lieren stated on Facebook.
Gunner KS finished 31st in the 2015 Pavo Cup Semi Finals last year. He was now being campaigned by Laurens on the 2016 KWPN Stallion Competition circuit.
Where a door closes, a window opens because Van Lieren got the ride on the 14-year old Grand Prix level trained KWPN gelding Vonkenstein (by Ferro x Havidoff x Akzent II) which was previously competed by Grieteke Oldenburger. Laurens and "Vonki" already made their show debut at a local practise show in Uden.
"There were a few hot moments in the test but also so beautiful movements that works," said Laurens. "I expected worse. He got hot, but in a positive way. If we continue to build on this, we're ready to compete for real."
Photo © Focussed
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