The 21-year old Lotje Schoots has been proclaimed Rabobank Talent of the Year 2009 at the 2010 CDI-W Amsterdam. The Rabobank Talent Plan, which supports upcoming equestrian athletes in The Netherlands, is in its 11th year and it is the first time that a rider has won the title twice. Schoots was already Talent of the Year in 2007.
Aboard Torricelli (by Florestan), Schoots finished her last year as Young Rider becoming the 2009 Dutch Young Rider Champion and winning individual gold, silver and team gold at the 2009 European Young Riders Championships. To finish off her career, she won the 2009 Young Riders World Cup Finals in Frankfurt.
Rabobank gave a cheque of 5,000 euro to Schoots who can spend it on furthering her dressage training. The winner was selected by a voting system as well as top trainers and team trainers casting their vote.
Previous 'dressage' Talents of the Year are Laurens van Lieren, Angela van den Berg, Annemiek van der Vorm, and Marlies van Baalen.
Photo © Dirk Caremans
Source: KNHS
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Schoots Wins Young Riders Classes in Style at 2008 CDI-YR Weert