Taking triple victory in the first ever outdoor international in Odense, Denmark, on 14 - 17 May 2015, Danish junior rider Sille Engermann won the Team, Individual and Kur tests. Aboard her 12-year old Rhinelander Darius (by Donnerloh x Pik Solo) she posted three winning scores of 70.901%, 73.553%, and 77.083%.
“This is the first time the JBK Horse Festival in Odense has taken place, and it was a very big show with a full schedule and packed entries,” Sille told Eurodressage. “It was very well organised and the show arena was very good to ride on.”
Odense was Sille's second international on the black gelding Darius even though she had started with the horse in 2013. The pair made their CDI debut in Nieuw en St. Joosland one month ago after the junior spent her time gelling with this horse before turning him out at shows.
“He had almost no experience as a competition horse and was known as a horse with a difficult temperament under saddle. After only 3 minutes I knew he was the one and before we left the stable we had bought him," Sille reminisced on her first meeting with Darius in Germany.
Thanks to an instant connection from the start and wise help from her trainer Jon D. Pedersen, the team figured out the right way to train him. As Darius is very intelligent, they had to always keep challenging him so he didn’t get bored.
Graduating from middle school next year, Sille has planned to go on the senior school, but is now thinking of taking a year off to ride.
“I have been riding horses internationally for the last 3 years, and I competed at the Europeans last year on my old horse Fernet, who is now sold to Finland. Before that I competed at the 2012 European Pony Championships with my pony Janine," Sille explained. " At the moment I have two horses. Darius and a 6-year old Danish warmblood by Romanov x Michellino who was a christmas present from his breeders at Stald Ringsbo."
Engermann, who is the 2014 Danish Junior Champion, clearly has a passion for riding and has taken on more horses despite her young age (17) and school duties. She is also training some other horses from a stud close by. Sille will continue to be coached by Pedersen, who is the former Danish National coach for Juniors and Young Riders.
“He is my mentor and has taught me everything I know, not only how to ride, but also how the mechanics of the horse works," she said. "Every time I am in his stable I learn something new. At the moment Darius and I have begun training the piaffe and passage and it seems like the more difficult movements are easy for him.”
Sille hopes to be ready for the Under 25 classes in the near future, but for this year she is aiming for the European Junior Riders championships in Vidauban.
by Sarah Warne - Photo © Ridehesten
Related Links
Scores 2015 CDI Odense
Cathrine and Cassidy, Journeying to Grand Prix Together, Reaping the Fruits at 2015 CDI Odense