Nekeman Nails Junior Riders Division at 2014 CDI Compiegne

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2014 CDI Compiegne

Holland's Jeanine Nekeman and her 12-year old Vlingh (by Flemmingh x Donnerschlag) nailed the junior riders' division at the 2014 CDI Compiègne on 30 May - 1 June 2014 producing a hattrick of victories. The second placed spot in the three rounds were captured by Dutch Pascale de Miranda, Belgium’s Numa Verberne and French Claire Berland.

“My best result was in the team test, where I achieved a personal record score of 74,29% for first place," Jeanine told Eurodressage. “My horse was in perfect condition and felt perfect right from the start, particularly on that first day. During the show he enjoyed all the attention and felt at home in his nice stall at Compiègne.”

An individual bronze medalist at the 2013 European Junior Riders Championships in Compiegne, Jeanine has worked mainly on the canter over the last few months and feels that this has improved considerably.

"With that improvement I can now get more points overall," she said. "However, my main focus in training is to keep Vlingh fit and willing.”

Trained twice a week by Yessin Rahmouni at her stables "Stouwehof”, the 17-year old Jeanine has also been working with Nicole Werner since she was eleven. Jeanine has just finished high school and after her summer break she hopes to study business at the University of Groningen.

Pascale de Miranda on Bugatti “I hope to compete at the European Championships in Arezzo this summer, I hope to peak there as I did last year in Compiègne," she stated.

Jeanine’s teammate Pascale de Miranda also had an exciting weekend in Compiègne, made more interesting by the fact that the day before the show her horse, the 8-year old Bugatti (by Sandro Hit x Lorentin), totally freaked out in the stable and scratched his shoes off.

“Luckily, after changing his stable he calmed down, but I was really nervous for the competition because of that," said De Miranda. "In the warming up Bugatti felt really good.”

Pascale’s highlight was in the team test, in which she was second to Jeanine on 72.189%, but she said there is still space for even more improvement if she can ride a more accurate test. “ Bugatti is really impressive in the trot so I think that is the best part of the test," she said.

Also just finishing school, Pascale dreams to be selected on the Dutch team for the European championships and will continue with trainer Elisabeth Posmus-Penterman on achieving that goal.

Numa Verberne on Riverdance A runner-up in the individual test with 69.254%, Belgian Numa Verberne and the 16-year old Riverdance (by Wolkentanz I x Hill Hawk xx) said he was able to concentrate more on the accuracy of the figures in this test.

“I am very happy with the results and most of all with making good progress at each competition since the last shows (CDI Kapellen, CDIO Saumur and CDI Nieuw en St. Joostland),” said Numa.

The 16-year old Numa started when he was 8 and is studying mathematics, economics and sciences in high school. He trains four times a week with Sophie Baetens-van Lent in Grimbergen, Belgium. “On Sunday I usually go in the fields for a relaxed walk in the neighborhood," he added.

Sharing almost the same birthday with his horse Riverdance, Numa is just one day older than Remy and feels he can learn everything from the horse with the great knowledge and support of his trainer.

"In training we are now focusing on the basic work and our aim this year is the Belgian Championship," Verberne explained. "I would love to compete at the European Championships in Arezzo and the Belgian Championships, and to do my best there, and of course to learn something each time that I am riding.”

Claire Berland on Amani Taking to the arena in French style, Claire Berland and her 10-year old Mecklenburger gelding Amani (by Anrit) felt in good form, even though Claire knew her chestnut was a little nervous leaving his stable.

“There are things that I feel could be improved; for example the canter, which could be more expressive and elevated. I missed the flying changes because I didn’t have my horse sufficiently focused," said a critical Berland. "The working trot could also be improved, with work on the half-pass to get more control of the shoulder and finally the walk needs to be more rounded.”

Claire feels that her trot work is strong and she loves riding the freestyle. "We were second in the freestyle and I feel that the music is important to me. My horse responds well to the sounds as do I,” she added.

A rider at the show jumping stables of Julien Delatre, Claire has been training for the past two years with Remy Issartel, who found Amani at Dolf Keller’s stables in June 2012.

“He belonged to a German breeder who had not used him much in competition. Currently I am working on improving the connection with Amani and his walk, which is why I use the snaffle bridle," she said.

At 17, Claire is in her last year of high school and wants to be a dentist. “I may study in another country and travel but will never forget my horses. I have been selected for the European Championship this summer in Italy and I am aiming to qualify for the freestyle, although just to be there is a achievement for me and I am proud to be representing France," she said.

Berland is the current French Junior Riders Champion and wants to renew that title in 2014. "I also have a second horse who I would like to compete in Young Rider competition, as I believe this will be very fulfilling," she added.

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. Contact us if you are interested in photo prints, collages or albums.