Jil-Marielle Becks has announced her come back with renowned stallion Damon Hill this winter, making the transition to Grand Prix level with her schoolmaster.
The duo was the most hyped young rider's pair in Germany of the 2015 show season. The combination produced top scores at their first few shows, but dropped out of the running for a team place when the stallion got injured.
The Westfalian licensed stallion Damon Hill (by Donnerhall x Rubinstein) made his come back as a schoolmaster after a stellar career as Germany's number one Grand Prix horse under Helen Langehanenberg. The new pair won the Vechta qualifier for the preis der besten, the CDI Hagen Prix St Georges and the Preis der Besten in Warendorf but missed out on the German team qualifiers as the liver chestnut sustained a hoof injury. Becks continued her young rider's show year with Damon's Satelite but didn't make the team.
In an interview with a Westfalian local newspaper Becks has now revealed her plans for 2016. She will continue to focus on the 7-year old gelding Damon's Satelite (by Damon Hill x Rubin Royal) for the young riders' classes, while she'll make the step to Under 25 on Damon Hill who is back in full training. Becks is coached by Heiner Schiergen.
"2015 was an incredibly exciting year," Becks stated. "There were many highpoints, including winning the Preis der Besten with Damon Hill. And I'm also very proud that my second horse Damon's Satelite achieved such good results at the German Youth Riders Championships amongst many more experienced combinations. There were also some lowpoints, but overall I'm very happy with my debut as a young rider."
Becks' 2016 show path with kick off with the Preis der Zukunft at the national show in Munster in January. She hopes to qualify Damon's Satelite for the Preis der Besten and compete her in Hagen and Wiesbaden. With the 8-year old mare Damon's Delorange (by Damon Hill x Rubin Royal) she's focusing on the Nurnberger Burgpokal qualifiers and with Damon Hill she wants to venture out in local Grand Prix classes to gain experience.
Photos © LL-foto - Astrid Appels
Related Links
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