Portuguese rider Daniel Pinto and the Trakehner x Lusitano cross bred Santurion de Massa led the Portuguese whitewash during the action packed week of competition at the brand new CDI Medina Sidonia in Spain which held two CDI's in one week time from 20 - 26 March 2017. On his 2017 debut Pinto did the double in the first 3* CDI and scored a personal record of 73.360% in the 4*.
Daniel says that the work they have been dedicating to the overall health and physical fitness of the horse has certainly paid off!
“After our win in the Grand Prix special in Mallorca last October, my trainer Kyra Kyrkland and myself decided that Santurion was now well established in the exercises, but what we needed to increase our scores was to improve his stamina and physically strength,” Daniel explained. “We spent a lot of time over the last months helping the horse in other aspects of training. For example we go once a week to the aquatrainer to increase his muscle endurance, and we also do a lot of walking outside up and down hills to improve his strength.”
The pair arrived in Medina for one week with two back to back CDI's. Daniel says the horse felt very fresh, and that the first week he was still a little anxious in the tests. He scored a winning 70.280% in the Grand Prix and 70.745% in the Special
“We won the Grand Prix but we had some mistakes because he was still adjusting back into competition for the first time this year."
Three days later the pair was in full swing, pulling off a mistake free test to reach 73.360%. Daniel could not have been happier with how his horse performed and how much difference the increased level of fitness has made during the test.
“I notice such a big difference in the horse during competition now that he is much fitter and happier overall. He is much easier in the hand, he has a lot more strength in the piaffe and passage, and the exercises come much more easily to him so he enjoys it a lot more as it’s not so much effort.”
Daniel adds that he also knows the horse much better, and the partnership is stronger, and of course the work with Kyra over the last 13 years has dramatically changed the way he rides, and his approach to riding.
“When I started with Kyra I needed to change a lot, particularly my philosophy to riding, and my riding position. I now feel I have a good method, and believe I am one of her students that believes more in what she can do as a trainer. My students also train with her in Portugal when she comes once a month, and I find her to be a very humble, open, and passionate trainer, who installs that passion into every rider she teaches. Riders feel her passion, and stay with that passion, but she somehow also enables riders to keep their own identity in their riding. We are in contact very everyday and she is a great example for dressage riders everywhere.”
Kyra added that she finds it easy and interesting to train in Portugal.
“Generally the Portuguese riders are very well educated with a good seat and an open mind," said Kyrklund. "I have always seen big potential in Santurion and he certainly is the best horse I have seen with Daniel. Im very happy with their progress and I believe there is more to come!”
With the top three riders in the Medina Grand Prix coming over from Portugal, Daniel was joined on the podium by Maria Caetano, and newcomer Vasco Mira Godinho. Caetano and Coroado (by Rubi AR) scored up to 72.380% in the Grand Prix and booked a victory in the Kur with 75.925%, while rookie Vasco Godinho and the licensed Lusitano stallion Bariloche JGR made their international CDI debut in Spain with four podium places in four tests and a victory in their last test on always improving scores. The level of dressage in Portugal certainly is improving.
“I think it’s due to the increase in access to good training," Pinto explained. "Kyra comes once a month and Maria Caetano also receives regular top training, just like Vasco. I think the horses are also improving, and the quality and technique of dressage in Portugal is on the up!”
Set to head off for Roosendaal and Munich in the coming months, Daniel hopes to consolidate this score of 73% and keep on working to increase it bit by bit, while keeping his horse fit, healthy, and willing to perform.
“I never go for the ribbon. I go to compete against myself, and to improve each time. I am lucky to not only have an amazing trainer, but also the owner of Santurion Chantal Lucas, who believes in me and Kyra and is a huge support of myself and the partnership I have with this amazing horse.”
After a short break, Daniel will continue to work on his goal of being able to perform as well in competition as he does as home, certain that when he can produce that in the test he can boost his percentage and be on the way to his main goal, the Olympics.
“For sure this is an Olympic horse. I hope to make the Europeans and then keep on improving all the way to 2020!”
Text by Sarah Warne - Photos © Rui Pedro Godinho
Related Links
Scores: 2017 CDI Medina Sidonia
Scores: 2017 CDI Medina Sidonia
Falcao, Pinto and Caetano Win Big Tour Classes at 2015 CDI Vilamoura