Sibling Success, De Ridder Style, at the 2014 CDIO Vidauban

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2014 CDIO Vidauban

It was sibling success for German sister duo Jill and Julia de Ridder at the 2014 CDIO Vidauban on 28 February - 2 March 2014. Elder sister Jill was the star in the 5-year old division as well as the winner of the developing PSG Horse Intermediaire I. Younger sister Julia took the junior classes in her stride.

Winning both the 5-year old Preliminary and final tests on the home bred 5-year old gelding Simon (by Sandro Hit x Rosario), the pair earned themselves a whopping 86.6% in the final to triumph over fellow countryman Matthias Rath with Don Frederic on 83.600%.

“This was his first international competition and I believe we won both tests because he just behaved very well,” 21-year old Jill told Eurodressage. “He is so uncomplicated! We had a long trip, an unknown stable, and a new place, but for him it does not matter."

Second in the 7-9 year old Prix St Georges with 71.316% and winning the 7-9 year old Intermediaire I with 72.105%, Jill and her second horse Whitney, an 8-year old mare by Wolkenstürmer x Fortissimo named Whitney produced a double whammy in Vidauban. Whitney is the princess of the barn.

"The morning of the Intermediaire I, I considered not entering on her as I was not sure if this was too early for her to begin at Inter I level, but my princess showed me that she was ready for a new class! And she won," de Ridder exclaimed.

Julia de Ridder on Comtessa Describing Vidauban a bit like a holiday, Jill had loads of fun celebrating her success with her sister and her parents, whom she trains with at their family's stable in Aachen, Germany.

“Julia, my sister, did a very good job with Comtessa, and I love to watch as she gets better every test," Jill explained. "I was particularly proud when her first national anthem was played!”

The delighted younger sister Julia won the junior individual and kur tests on 10-year old Comtessa (by Royal Hit x Dream of Heidelberg) posting strong scores of 72.325% and 75.125%. On the first day she was second in the Junior team test with 68.559%

"On the first day she was a little bit afraid of the rain at the beginning, but she got better as the test went on,” said 17-year old Julia. "Overall the show was amazing! They had super arenas and everything was well organized. I can't wait to go back next year."

Comtessa, whom Julie describes as a 'fighter,' always tries her very best. Julia can feel that at each competition the pair work more as a team.

“It’s because of this that I am setting myself very high targets for this year," Julia admitted.

Julia is lucky to be allowed to ride her mom Alexandra's 12-year old Grand Prix horse Chameur, whom she considers the best schoolmaster.

"I train with my parents (Ton and Alexandra Simons-de Ridder), but most of the time particularly with my mother, as she knows Comtessa and me and all the things we have to work on," Julie explained. "I also get to visit Isabel Werth in my school holiday and she teaches me so much. I love to watch her ride, and she is for sure one of my role models.”

Jill de Ridder on Whitney “Sometimes we go on holiday to the family Wittig,” Jill added. “I also had the chance to train in England with Carl Hester. I enjoyed every lesson with Carl and went home with loads of new ideas!”

Inspired by their parents, their trainers, and of course each other, Julia and Jill aim to just keep on improving their riding as well as enjoy their hard earned success.

“I love being in the same competition as my sister, and it's great to see how she rides, and be able to support her," Julia added. “She did a great job with our 5 year old Simon and I can learn a lot from her.”