British pony queen Phoebe Peters and her 12-year old German Riding Pony gelding SL Lucci made yet another hat trick victory at the 2014 CDI Compiegne on 30 May - 1 June 2014. Earning herself an 80.128% in the team test, Phoebe led the pack also on Saturday and Sunday with 78.862% and 79.916%. Three Dutch riders were able to capture second place on the weekend: Veronique van der Panne, Zoe Schipper and Demy Kurstjens.
“Lucci and I had a really enjoyable week in Compiègne," said Peters. "After our last competition at the Saumur CDIO we had been focussing on fine tuning our way of going as a partnership and this training has definately contributed to our results in Compiègne. Winning the team test was really amazing! However, to gain a new personal best and score a new world record for the team test was unbelievable! The test felt really good, especially the simple changes which are one of Lucci's strong points. My trainer, Peter Storr, and I still picked out a few improvements after the test but I was extremely proud of Lucci. In the Individual test I was very late on in the draw and Peter had to catch a flight home meaning that my sister, Camille, and I worked together on the warm-up instead - we had great fun and were delighted with the test Lucci and I did. The trot work felt even better than the team test with really super extentions."
Phoebe says that in the coming weeks Peter will be working with her and Lucci on perfecting small points in their performance that will make the difference to their scores. “There are still improvements that can be made which make the future so exciting," she added.
Riding Lucci (by Lukas) for just over 2 years now, Phoebe admits they have been the best two years of her life and that Lucci is a pony who is a joy to be around! “He makes us laugh and is always the one so excited to be going out for a ride every day. To ride, Lucci is the most brilliant partner, he is so trainable and never fails to put a smile on my face every time I have the honour of riding him," she explained.
A student at Chipping Campden School, Phoebe is just about to start her GCSE's, so of course having to balance her school work with her dressage is tricky. However she is lucky to have the most wonderful support team. “This year, my ultimate aim is to contest the European Championships for Great Britain and for Lucci and I to perform to the best of our ability.”
Veronique van der Panne and her 10-year old buckskin Rhyfedd Spike (by Veenstra's Promise x Fronarth Llewelyn) were the runners-up in the team test with 73.12%. The 15-year old Veronique has really come of age on her long-time pony and this year they are on best form.
"He felt awesome on the first day," Van der Panne said about her second place in the team test. "He is really good in trot and the simple changes."
Van der Panne did not bring her coach to the show but was able to stay focused and prepare well for the class. At home she is trained at Leunis van Lieren's Stable Hexagon in Schore, The Netherlands.
Veronique is super happy with her pony and aims big this year. "Spike is the most lovely pony in the world and he is so pretty," she said "I would love to go to the European Pony Championships."
Second in the individual test with 72.539%, Zoe Schipper and the 12-year old pony German Riding Pony mare Dolce Vita (aka Oualidaluna, by Valido out of Capriluna), did the Dutch nation proud.
“My pony did a great job, she felt fantastic all the time. however I know I could improve by having more control during the test but that is getting better all the time," Schipper told Eurodressage. "My highlight of the test were the simple changes of leg.”
Trained by Christa Larmoyeur in Winschoten, The Netherlands, Zoe is glad to work with a “fantastic trainer” and a little equine lady that is very special.
“She is so sweet! She can give you kisses! I really love my horse!”
The silver lady in the kur with 74.208%, Demy Kurstjens on Ciske (by Composer van de Beekerheide) gave it their all on the final day and were very happy to receive such great feedback.
“Sunday, during our freestyle test, Ciske felt even better than on the days before and he gave me everything," Kurstjens explained. "The highlight of this test for me was the extended trot and the judges even gave 9 for that!"
While there is still room for improvement in the simple changes, Demy is going to focus on that over the next weeks with her trainer Jorgen Ros. “We also sometimes train with our team coach Tineke Bartels," she added.
With two ponies in competition, Demy knows that both are still young with Ciske being 10 and her second pony Nina 11. It will be exciting to see how they will improve.
“The are both willing to work every day for 300 %, and both were bred by Jan Beek," said Demy. "This is my last year with the ponies and next year I hope to compete at the CDI-J Compiègne again. This was the second time we went there and everything is so well organized.”
Text by Sarah Warne
Photos © Astrid Appels - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED (NO FACEBOOK!! If you want to use the photo, buy it)
Eurodressage's Astrid Appels was on the scene taking photos of (pretty much) ALL riders at the CDI Compiegne (I don't have all pony riders, but please ask). Contact us if you are interested in photo prints, collages or albums.
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