Polish Grand Prix rider Beata Stremler had to deal with disappointment when her Olympic team horse Martini became unfit to compete at the 2014 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands on 20 - 23 March 2014. However her desilusion with yet another bump in the road of recovery of her top mount turned into delight as she was allowed to make her international Grand Prix debut aboard her rising star, Rubicon D.
The 11-year old Rhinelander bred Rubicon D (by Rubin Royal x Larome) scored 66.8% in the Grand Prix and 68.850% in the Kur to Music. Beata was very pleased with his first show back after a break and his first real go at international Grand Prix.
“Martini was unfortunately injured again shortly before Den Bosch,” the 29-year old told Eurodressage. “I was so looking forward to competing him again after a one and a half year break and now this has happened. I am very upset about it.”
Stremler found a silver lining as she could take the arena on Rubicon. The dark bat has been with her since he was five. Stremler says he is a highly sensitive horse with lots of power and energy. “I love to ride him,” she said. “And Den Bosch is an amazing show. I was absolutely impressed with the atmosphere and the dimension of this show.”
Winning the small tour at the CDI Achleiten in 2011, Stremler took the time to train Rubicon D to Grand Prix. Den Bosch was the first show back for him after a break. Beata knew it was a big challenge for them both.
“I really just wanted to give him lots of self-confidence in the Grand Prix arena and I was very pleased with him.”
Rubicon D is owned by the Loose family and Beata was offered the ride on him six years ago. She immediately accepted the offer, even though he was not easy as a young horse. She has always had a good feeling about their partnership. “I have the feeling that we are a good team and that we understand each other.”
Self-employed at the Rinnen equestrian centre in Duisburg, Germany, Beata trains her clients' horses and has been training with Ton de Ridder since 2011 when she stepped into the big time.
“I have learned a lot from him and my biggest goal in training is to ensure that the horses get lots of gymnastic work and that they are willing to work for you," she said. "I want them to learn things kind-of without knowing it. I love to do the basic work much more than the movements. The exercises are not that hard when horses understand our aids and want to react to them.”
With many young horses in training, Beata is excited about her future. She is particularly ecstatic about her 7-year old Royability, another Rubin-Royal son, with whom Beata placed in his first Prix St Georges last week.
“I hope Rubicon and I will get to the World Equestrian Games. It would be for me such a great feeling to get another self-trained horse after Martini to such a level," she confessed. "My dream is to be able to keep on going at the international level. However, it is so hard to do without a real sponsor as a background.”
Text by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels - NO reproduction allowed
Related Links
Scores 2014 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch
Beata Stremler, Polish Star Breaking Through at International Grand Prix Level
Poland Fields Team, Ireland Closer to Individual Slot at 2012 Olympic Games