The Dutch equestrian federation has announced that Yasmin Westerink will not be competing on the Dutch team at the 2023 European Junior Riders Championships in Kronberg (GER) on 19 - 23 July 2023.
Westerink's horse Dibert L, a 15-year old KWPN gelding by Vivaldi x Balzflug, is not fit to compete.
"I don't know where to start. Dibs and I will not be competing at the European Championships. Dibs has a hoof abscess and is not fit enough to run his tests next week," the 16-year old Yasmin explained. "I'm devastated. Fortunately Dibs will be fine and his health is the most important, but this is very hard to swallow."
Westerink began her international dressage career on ponies in 2020 with former Dutch team pony Brasil. She added Annabella Pidgley's Cognac IX (by ) and began showing him internationally in 2021, always coming close to Dutch pony team selection but never getting picked. The Westerink family also looked at Pidgley to find a junior rider's horse and acquired her Dibert L in 2022. This year the pair gelled and competed successfully at CDI's in Exloo, Aachen, Tolbert and Geesteren. At the 2023 Dutch Junior Championships Yasmin and Dibert L won bronze and clinched a spot on the team for the 2023 European Junior Rider Championships.
Westerink has now withdrawn and will be replaced by the reserve pair: Anniek van Dulst and Kadanz. They will join Anique Frans (Jack Sparrow), Isa Hollands (Hupadoeska PB), and Lara van Nek (Fariska) on the team.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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