Carole Schepens Is Making It Work as a Young Dressage Professional

Focus

Eurodressage F.O.C.U.S.

For former Belgian Young Riders team member Carole Schepens the transition to senior level dressage and a semi-professional life with horses in 2015 has been an exhilirating one. The soon to be 22-year old Carole is combining a part-time job in the family business with the first steps of settling herself as a professional dressage rider at her home yard in Zoersel, Belgium.

The move away from the youth riders division and spending half days fully dedicated to riding have given her a boost of confidence and experience. Carole now has a clearer vision of what she wants in the future and she is aiming for Under 25 Grand Prix in the winter of 2015-2016.

A Smooth Transition

Aboard the 13-year old Dutch warmblood mare Velvet Dream (by Dream of Heidelberg x Amsterdam) Schepens has been a member of the Belgian Young Riders Team at 2012 and 2014 European Young Riders Championships in Berne and Arezzo. The pair began at junior riders level and won bronze at the 2011 Belgian Junior Championships. As a young riders' duo they built up an impressive show record as of 2012. They had successful starts at the CDi's in Addington, Roosendaal, Moorsele, Pompadour, Vidauban, Compiègne, Kapellen, Nieuw en St. Joosland, and Saumur.

Carole and Velvet Dream at the 2015 CDI Compiegne The cheerful blonde felt that this year's transition to senior small tour level went smoothly.

"It wasn't too hard as I had been working on the Intermediaire I movements during my last year at young riders level. I started Velvet a couple of times in a national Inter I class two years ago and immediately scored 71%," Schepens told Eurodressage. "Velvet wasn't the easiest to begin with for inexperienced rider. We bought her as a 7-year old and she was still very spooky. I always had my hands full in the test. I took her to shows pretty much every weekend for three years. My coach recommended me to make miles! Now Velvet has really matured mentally. I can focus on the movements and execute them precisely."

Schepens also has a second iron in the fire, the 10-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Anouagrant SAG (by Flemmingh x Jazz) which she bought five years ago as a successor. The gentle giant, who is standing at 1.83m, has been a challenge to ride for the petite Schepens due to his height, but the combination has gelled and is now schooling at Grand Prix level.

Carole on Anouagrant Sag "I really had to help Anouagrant with every movement when he was young, but now he has found his groove. He has much talent and enjoys the job. He always makes an effort to work for you and has a super mentality. Even though he's a big horse, he's easy to handle. He is now well muscled, carries himself and is performing super at small tour level. At home we are schooling piaffe, passage and tempi changes."

Credit to her Coach

Carole credits her coach of seven years, Arlette Holsters, for the rider she is today. Schepens has her own small, private dressage stable at her home in Zoersel and relies much on Arlette for her continued development and fine-tuning of her skills.

"Arlette has really taught me a lot of discipline. While my peers where going out to party I stayed home to ride my horses. It sure wasn't easy," Carole admitted. "She also taught me to fight for every point, the small details, the precision, to go for it in a test. I often freeze up when I enter the arena, especially when I began competing, but now I dare to take risks. Arlette puts a lot of emphasis on that. Her international competition experience has taught me much. She still rides several horses each day and even returned to the international show ring on Anouagrant for me after a twelve year hiatus!"

Belgian Olympian and trainer Arlette Holsters The tall and lanky Anouagrant is an eye-catcher in the show ring. The pair won bronze at the 2013 Belgian Young Riders Championships and Schepens has already received a few offers on him.

"He's a fantastic horse, but I have now come to a point that I should no longer say no to an offer," Schepens confessed. "At a certain point you have to be able to sell an upper level trained horse, so you can buy young talent for the future."

Making it Work as a Young Dressage Professional

Carole studied communication management in college for two years, but decided it was not her path in life. She has now found the perfect combination in working in her father's rice brokerage company and spending afternoons in the saddle.

Schepens keeps her horses at home and turns them out daily in green paddocks. She has a 20 x 60 m Olympic outdoor arena with all-weather footing and good lighting. She chose Cavalor horse feed and the quality hay from own harvest to feed her horses with.

"Each day I take care of the horses myself because I think it's important to build a bond. Horses feel that and it makes them happy," said Carole. "I train my horses daily and a few times per week my coach comes over to supervise me. I want to work on my international dressage career."

Carole Schepens Carole has been focusing on the Grand Prix level movements with both her horses and hopes to make the transition to Under 25 Grand Prix level this winter.

"On the long term I want to become part of the Belgian A-team in the senior division," said a modest Carole who wants to keep her goals realistic.