After missing her chance at a ride in the 2015 European Junior Riders Championships, German team reserve Alexa Westendarp used the miss to spur her into the future. She proved her talent at the 2016 CDI Lier on 1 - 6 March 2016, where she won all three Junior tests with scores over 70%.
“The show was very good for us,” Alexa told Eurodressage. “My horse was very concentrated and cheerful. In the first test on Thursday he was a little bit nervous, but we used this positive tension in our favour. All three days he showed a consistancy in his performance and I am very proud of him. He is my darling.”
Aboard her 9-year old Hanoverian gelding Der Prinz (by Diamond Hit x Davignon), the Wallenhorst (GER) based rider scored 71.541% in the team test, 72.368% in the Individual and 76.425% in the Kur.
The German youngster admited that while she was disappointed not to make it on the team for last year's Europeans, she used the experience to build on her future.
“We were so close to making the team, but I was happy for my friends and we had a very nice preparatory training course. I was very proud of the team. We will continue our training and maybe gain a spot in the future," Alexa confessed.
Alexa calls Der Prinz as the best horse in the world.
“He was previously owned by Ruth Kerky and Thomas Wimpissinger, Austrian friends of my parents, before my parents bought him for me. He is very honest and lovely to ride. We are like partners, I can always count on him. He wants to do everything right," she said.
Trained by her father Johannes Westendarp on a daily basis at their home stable in Wallenhorst, Germany, Alexa also goes to Oliver Oelrich once a week alongside completing her final year of school.
“Next year I will complete my A-Levels. After this I have no exact plan but I think I will not pursue a study. I want a mix of work with horses and work in the office. Maybe in a salesroom for horses, or in a big horse company, where I can work a half day in the stable and the other half in the office; like Kasselmann," said Alexa. "Above all, my plan is to ride my horses and continue my competitive career.”
by Sarah Warne
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI Lier
German Teams Selected for 2015 European Junior/Young Riders Championships
Laabs, Westendarp, Biermann, Becks Win 2015 Preis der Besten Qualifier in Vechta