German's most successful pon rider of 2015, Nadine Krause, has made a successful transition to junior riders' level and booked her first international victories on her new horse, Dancer, at the 2016 CDIO Saumur on 28 April - 1 May 2016. Krause and the KWPN bred Dancer won two out of three junior riders' classes in Saumur and made her first steps towards in the competition world on horses.
In December 2015 the Krause family invested in quality and experience but still with a young age and acquired the 8-year old Dutch warmblood Dancer (by Vivaldi x Tango), who was the 2014 World Young Horse Champion. They made their CDI debut in March 2016 at the CDI Stadl Paura and Saumur was only their second international.
Krause was particularly happy given that this show was meant as a chance to gain mileage on her chestnut.
“We went to Saumur to train and gather new practice and experience, as I only started in Dancer a very short time ago,” said 17-year old Nadine. "We had a day off in Saumur and the training was so good that I had a very good feeling when I went into the individual test, and the freestyle."
Nadine posted scores of 69,825% in the individual, and 75.125% in the kur after placing seventh in the team championship test with 66.865%. She believes that it was as much fun for him as it was for her.
“He loved the surroundings and I enjoyed the trip with him. I learned that we completely trust each other. Dancer has an extraordinary personality. He is on one hand extremely patient, good-natured and easy going, but on the other hand he is cheeky. He is always taking off his blanket when he's outside or even at night in his box, and not only that but also throwing it out the window if he has the chance. He also loves rolling in the sand in the Paddock and doesn't care how long it takes for us to clean him afterwards.”
Dancer is stabled at her own yard in Bad Homburg, Germany and Nadine trains with her mother Stefanie Krause-Rothenberger.
“Occasionally, I also train with Konrad Schumacher and in Saumur with OlliÖllrich. Our biggest theme in training, particularly as I only have been riding him for such as small amount of time, is getting us working together and trusting each other. Our plan for the next few months is the Preis der Besten in Warendorf that we qualified for, and after that we will see," she said.
Studying at the Frankfurt International School, Nadine is in the preparation for the IB and Abitur for next year.
“My plan for the next few years is to take a gap year after my graduation, which I will use to travel, most likely through Australia. However, I will also do a few internships to find out what I want to do in the future, and continue my riding," she stated.
by Sarah Warne - Photos ©
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDIO Saumur
World Young Horse Champion Dancer Sold to Nadine Krause
Nadine Krause's Ponies Allocated to New German Riders