British Junior Rider Claire Gallimore has sold her top horse Daniolo to Switzerland. Gallimore has been based at Bartels' Academy in The Netherlands for the past two years training with Imke Schellekens.
The 19-year old Gallimore made her transition from ponies to horses on the now 13-year old Hanoverian bred Daniolo (by Don Primero x Wittelsbach) in 2012. After being Britain's number one FEI pony rider on Gigolo, Gallimore made a seamless transition to horses and was selected on the British team for the Europeans
Claire and Danilo represented Great Britain at the 2012 European Junior Riders Championships in Berne, Switzerland, where they finished 22nd in the individual test.
In 2013 Gallimore did not compete at any international events even though she made the transition to Prix St Georges (YR) level this year and showed at a few national events in Holland. She also owns the 9-year old Dutch warmblood mare Ballerina (by Scandic x Jazz) and a young stallion named CJ (by Johnson) which she hopes to campaign at Young Riders level in 2014.
"I have been concentrating on Bella who is progressing really well and maturing both mentally and physically," said Claire. "She is well muscled now and more able to balance her own incredible elasticity and power. She is thrilling to ride and I am working towards establishing her at PSG level for next season. I am now looking to invest in some youngsters and to improve my skills in riding them. I have been given the opportunity to ride some of Imke’s young horses and I am learning all the time. Life is very exciting!."
Gallimore recently gave up her studies in broadcast journalism at the University of Leeds in the U.K. to focus full time on riding at Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde.
" Even though I love my life at university and living with all my English friends, I have also built a life in Holland and my horses are out here which is the thing in my life I am most passionate about. So from now on I will be living permanently in Holland and riding and being around the horses and learning every day. It’s a massive relief to be able to concentrate on the horses rather than having to worry about having to get back from the yard quickly to do an academic assignment," she said in her blog. "I am now much happier knowing that I can give 100 percent to the horses and to achieving the goals I have set for myself."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Claire Gallimore Combining an Education with Dressage in The Netherlands
Scores: 2012 European Junior and Young Riders Championships
British Teams for 2012 European Junior/Young Riders Championships Announced