Danish Camilla Andersen and Anne Mette Lyager and Belgian Laura Luyten became the lead actrices for the top three places in the junior division at the 2017 CDI Sint-Truiden on Easter weekend 14 - 17 April 2017. The trio won the trophies and always stayed close to the number one position throughout the weekend.
The CDI Sint-Truiden is a brand new international youth riders competition hosted at Christa Jacques' Stable Gravenhof, which is located in the biggest apple growing area in Belgium. With the orchards in full bloom but the weather still cool and flimsy (several rain showers made sure the footing didn't dry out), the conditions were good for an outdoor season opener.
Danish 2016 EU-CH team member Camilla Andersen and her 9-year old Danish bred Rafaella K (by Skovens Raphael x Hertug) won the team championship test with 69.775% ahead of team mate Karoline Rohmann on a new ride, the 8-year old Danish bred Jakas Don Louvre (by Don Romantic x Lauries Crusador xx).
In the Individual test Danish 2016 EU-CH team member Anne Mette Lyager took top honour aboard Anne Sondergaard's 11-year old Danish warmblood gelding Brandtoftes Sjubell (by Don Juan x Ibi Bell). The liver chestnut had good suspension in trot and showed an excellent extended walk. The horse got a bit unbalanced on the centre line after a flying change, but the entire ride proved much routine and experience. They scored 69.775% for the victory. Rohmann was again edged out and finished second. Her bay gelding had good self carriage and rhythm in trot, but lost the elasticity in the back in the collected walk. Overall the horse had to be a bit more up in the bridle and collected from behind, but he was very obedient throughout.
The Kur to Music on Easter Monday was won by Belgian Laura Luyten on her 10-year old Westfalian gelding Dark Chocolate (by Damon Hill x Florestan). The long legged gelding has very good cadence in trot and produces nice, forward flying changes, but the contact with the bit has to improve. The horse often has the mouth open and is not chewing. Luyten grabbed the trophy in the freestyle with 73.350%.
Luyten referred Andersen on Rafaella K to a second place with 72.733%. The liver chestnut mare has a very rhythmical and well carried trot, but the collected walk easily seems to lose its elasticity. The Kur top three was completed by Lyager and Sjubell on a score of 70.558%
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - No Reproduction Allowed
Eurodressage photographer Astrid Appels took photos of all combinations competing at the CDI Sint-Truiden. Contact us if you are interested in prints or digital files for social media of your photos!
Related Link
Scores 2017 CDI Sint-Truiden