Kirra Jardine Gets Ride on Marlies van Baalen's Ben Johnson

Dressage

The Netherlands

South African dressage rider Kirra Jardine has received the ride on Marlies van Baalen's second Grand Prix horse, Ben Johnson.

Ben Johnson is a 16-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Johnson out of Vinea M (by Ferro x Silvano N). He is bred by Dutch equestrian journalist Claartje van Andel.

Young Horse Classes

The bay made his first claim to fame as a 4-year old by finishing second in the 2010 Horsefood Dressage Talent Competition. He was ridden by Femke de Laat at the time who worked at Stable van Baalen.

In the summer of 2010 Marlies van Baalen rode Ben Johnson to an 18th and 19th place in the semi-finals of the Pavo Cup.

To Grand Prix

Ben Johnson continued his career under Van Baalen up to Grand Prix level. In 2016 the pair was fifth at the 2016 Dutch Small Tour Championship and made its CDI debut at small tour level at the CDI Darmstadt two months later, where they were second on the Prix St Georges.

In 2018 they moved to international Grand Prix level and in the next four years competed at major events in Le Mans, Den Bosch, Joosland, Saumur, Geesteren, Aachen, Lier, Waregem, Sint-Truiden and Opglabbeek. They were 9th at the 2018 Dutch Grand Prix Championships and 6th in 2019.

Marlies and Ben Johnson's last season together was in the spring of 2021. At the CDI Opglabbeek they were third in the freestyle, but at the next show in Exloo they were excused from the kur as the horse was not level. A month later he was 9th in the first round of the 2021 Dutch Championships.

Next Chapter

As Marlies focuses on her number one Go Legend (by Totilas), Ben Johnson will now begin a new chapter in his sport career as a schoolmaster for South African Kirra Jardine, who trains and works at Van Baalen.

"Ben Johnson has done so much for me, he always gave his best," said Marlies. "His piaffe and passage gave us goosebumps! He is still so fit and happy and ready to educate a young rider. Kirra is doing an excellent job at DVB and I’m happy to see them shine."