Making the long trek south from Belgium to Spain proved to be a great decision for Belgian pony rider Ann-Sophie Goethals. Aboard her 10-year old German Riding pony Timberland Goethals claimed a hattrick at the 2016 CDI-PJYR Girona on 25-27 March 2016, taking out all three FEI level pony tests.
“We decided to go to Girona because it’s a beautiful region and we we’re hoping for some nice weather because it rains a lot in Belgium," Ann-Sophie told Eurodressage. “It was also the first outdoor competition of the year.”
The competition at the C.A.V.A equestrian centre in Girona, Spain, had an amazing atmosphere thanks to owners, Maya and Victor Alvarez Pou. The warm welcome, the hospitality and the excellent organization made it a very pleasant competition. “I would definitely recommend it for everybody next year,” she added.
Scoring 65.949% in the team test, 69,610% in the Individual, and 71,800% in the kur, Ann was delighted that her previous experience had allowed her to arrive at this competition in top form.
“Last year in October we went to Biarritz in one trip and the pony was not as fit as usual during the competition. So this time we left a few days earlier and we made a stop for 24h in Clermont," she explained. "The trip went very well and the pony was not tired at all when we arrived.”
This time the Goethals family made sure to arrive a few days ahead of the competition and got to Girona on Monday 21 March. She started working with Timberland on Wednesday and felt he was good right from the start.
“He was quite happy to exercise. He had a little struggle with the insects because at this time of the year there are none in Belgium but we had brought with us enough anti-insect products," said Ann-Sophie.
The 16-year old Goethals made her international FEI pony level debut on Timberland in June 2016 after having done one pony CDI with Castenrayseweg's Evita WNE in April 2015. Timberland (by Topnatreju x Diskus) is more affectionately kwown as Timmie and he is an intelligent pony with a reliable character according to his rider.
“He is a big teddy bear who just can’t get enough hugs. He’s a happy pony and can be playful but always stays honest. He also loves his daily routine of going out into the meadow where he can play around."
Ann-Sophie is coached by her mother and regularly takes lessons with Carmen de Bondt. With her other horses she sometimes trains at Stefan van Ingelgem's yard in Puurs, Belgium, but her horses are all stabled at her grandparents' farm.
“I trained this pony all by myself without the help of other trainers or riders and that’s why it took longer to get to this level," she said. "A benefit of this is that I know Timmie very well and I can solve a problem during the test. I’m very proud that I made it to this level and I’m satisfied when I can leave the ring with a good feeling. It’s my last year as an pony rider and I want to enjoy this as much as we can by competing at nice competitions and lovely places. I’m also starting my horse on Z2-level next week and hope we can make our debut at junior-level at the end of the year."
Goethals is gaining experience as a junior rider on her own 6-year old Eldorado A (by Vivaldi x Sandreo) and she also trains two more youngsters: the 5-year old First Diamond (by Fürstenball x Welt Hit II), owned by the Wouters' family, and the 5-year old Game On (by Lord Leatherdale x Negro), owned by the Maddelin family.
"The future is secured," said Goethals, who is studying mathematics and science at high school. There is little time left for other interests besides horse-riding and school.
“It’s not always easy to combine both because I have lots of home work and the horse trainings at this level are rather frequent. My current goal is to represent Belgium at the European Championships in Denmark this year," she concluded.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Andrea Rodriguez Arabita
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI-PJYR Girona
Scores: 2015 CDI Biarritz
Scores: 2015 CDI Lier