Belgian Isabel Cool and her Dutch warmblood gelding Constand beat a big Dutch delegation competing on home turf in the small tour division held at the 2017 world cup qualifier in 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, on 10 - 11 March 2017. Cool captured first place in the Prix St Georges and Inter I Freestyle, with four Dutch pairs closely on her heels.
Cool and the 10-year old liver chestnut Constand (by Vic x Jet Set D x Wellington) topped the Prix St Georges with 71.842% and the Intermediaire I kur to music with 74.350%. Twice she felt the most competition from Ilse van Cranenbroek on the Dutch warmblood Emerald S (by Ampere x Jazz x Ramiro Z) who scored 71.684% and 73.925%. The two classes were held in two different indoor arenas. The St. Georges took place in the smaller ring, while the Inter I Kur happened in the main show ring.
"He won very well," Cool told Eurodressage about her two rides. "Both arenas were very impressive and I felt that on him, but despite the atmosphere and surroundings, Constand always goes for it and allows me to ride him."
One week ago Cool and Constand also competed at the 2017 CDI Lier where they were fourth in the Prix St Georges (70.00%) and second in the Inter I freestyle (73.450%).
"In Lier he was already going well, but in the kur he spooked and there was a mistake in the tempi changes. I didn't have that in Den Bosch. He's very consistent in his way of going and performance, worthy of his name."
Cool was initially trained by Dutch Nicole Werner and then Swedish Patrik Kittel in Germany, but in November 2016 she switched to the 67-year old Dutch trainer Sjef Janssen, who is also Belgium's national team coach. This new co-operation arose through the Grand Prix talent scouting which Sjef and the Belgian federation carried out. Cool had already tried getting training from Sjef three years ago but at the time he had told her her horses were not far along enough in their training.
"I always wanted to train with Sjef and because of the federation and the high potential team, which I am part of, I have made a personal engagement with him to train and work together for a year," Cool explained. "Three times per week I go to Erp with two horses. Sjef is two hours from my barn, Patrik was five hours and that was quite far and difficult to train there often. I found that I needed more guidance to get further. I only went to Patrik's every two months. I'm grateful for what he taught me, but I think I'll get a step further with Sjef."
Cool currently has three horses working at FEI level: Constand, Cheatadon (by Vic) and Aranco (by Ferro).
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Scores 2017 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch
Sjef Janssen Selects Eight Belgian Developing Grand Prix Pairs for Further Training
Winning Finish for Constand and Bon Bravour at Final Belgian WCYH Selection Trial