Portuguese team rider Maria Caetano has an exciting 2017 ahead of her with a new horse and a second trainer on board. Caetano received the ride on Christine Jacoberger's 4-year old Iranico JGR and she is now getting extra coaching from Ton de Ridder.
The 30-year old Caetano was member of the Portuguese team at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen aboard Xiripiti. In 2016 the Lusitano Coroado (by Rubi AR) became her top ride and she contested the CDI's in Lisbon, Jerez, Segovia, Mallorca, and Stuttgart.
Caetano has now added a third Rubi son to her string. Rubi's owner Christine Jacoberger has given her the ride on the 4-year old grey Iranico JGR (by Rubi AR x Hostil x Xaquiro CI).
"Maria has already proven that she can do wonders with other progeny of our stallion Rubi AR," said Jacoberger. "We have a great admiration for the results she has achieved in dressage, for her methodical and classical work and her elegant riding style."
Maria will be moving two of her younger FEI level horses up one level in 2017. Her rising 7-year old Fenix do Tineo (by Rubi AR) will move to the small tour classes, while her 11-year old Biso das Lezerias will get introduced to the medium tour tests. Xiripiti's sports career has been put on the back burner after an intense five years at Grand Prix level.
"Xiripiti had a quiet season last year. He started in the Big Tour very soon. He did his first Europeans as an 8-year old and had 5 years in a row full of competitions. He still very healthy and strong, even though I decided to give him a break and use him more as a breeding stallion for now," Caetano explained.
Maria has always been trained by her father Paulo, but is now getting a second pair of eyes from Ton de Ridder to fine-tune her skills.
"When my father cannot travel to some shows, Ton comes and gives me some advise," said Maria. "He is a good friend since a long time and me and my father are happy to have his help for training."
Maria will be focusing Coroado on team selection for the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Photos © Rita Fernandes - Astrid Appels
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