Photo Report: Junior Aagard Hyrm and Olofsson Fly Their Flags at 2019 CDI Sint-Truiden

With 28 combinations entered, the junior rider division was the second largest age category at the 2019 CDI Sint-Truiden on 18 - 22 April 2019.  The Scandinavian riders ruled the field and not the expected two German pairs that won individual silver and bronze at the 2018 European Junior Riders Championships in Fontainebleau, France, last summer. 

The 18-year old Danish Sara Aagaard Hyrm and her 13-year old Danish warmblood Skovborgs Romadinov (by Romanov x Mago xx) kicked off Sint-Truiden with a win in the team championship test on 71.717%. They went on to win the individual test with  73,186% but could not make it a triple in the freestyle. Swedish Felicia Olofsson moved ahead of them for the trophy on 74.958% while Hyrm was second with 74.000%.  Aagaard Hyrm took over the ride on the liver chestnut Romadinov from Rikke Klinkby and began competing him internationally in 2018. The pair was 21st in the individual test at the European JR Championships. 

The 16-year old Olofsson and her 13-year old Swedish warmblood Bellman (by Hermes x Prestige) climbed the ladder through the weekend. They were 13th in the team championship test with 68.384%, tenth in the individual tst with 68.333 and then made a huge leap to victory in the Kur. The chestnut Bellman was previously trained by Anna Svanberg, who competed him at the 2012 World Young Horse Championships, placing 12th in the Finals. 

Former Danish pony rider Kristian Wurtz Green is in his third year riding at junior level but in his second fully devoted to that level. On the 9-year old well moving, Danish bred Bogegaardens Santiago (by Soliman x Wesley) he took a rougher start in the team test as the liver chestnut was spooky and not as obedient. They were 18th with 67.222%

2018 European Junior Rider Championship silver and bronze medal winning Valentina Pistner and Romy Allard were not yet in full form in Sint Truiden. While Pistner's Oldenburg gelding Flamboyant (by Fidertanz) certainly stands out with his ground covering gaits, the black was too long in the frame and needed to have the poll more up. Allard's Oldenburg mare Summer Rose was more consistent with an elastic trot and nice flying changes, particularly to the right, but the half halting was not always as subtle. Pistner placed 6th (69.747%), 9th (68.382%), and 5th (72.625%), while Allard went from 3rd place (70.859%) to 7th (68.971%) and fourth (72.792%).  

Text and Photos © Astrid Appels - No reproduction allowed

Eurodressage photographed all riders at the CDI Sint-Truiden. If you are interested in photos for social media or prints, email us!

Related Links
Scores: 2019 CDI Sint-Truiden
Photo Report: Abbelen Gets an Under 25 First at 2019 CDI Sint-Truiden
Photo Report: Barbançon and Bolero Waltz to Double Victory at 2019 CDI Sint-Truiden