Shortly before going into the 2024 Olympic year, Dutch team rider Emmelie Scholtens premiered her third Grand Prix horse in the international ring at the 2023 CDI Leeuwarden on 20 - 22 October 2023.
With confirmed GP mounts Desperado and Indian Rock as her irons in the fire for Paris, Scholtens has showcased a third Grand Prix ride in full development.
Glory Days
Glory Days is a 12-year old Dutch warmblood by Jazz out of Carena (by Uptown x Neostan). He is owned by Hans de Kok and Petra Reijntjes.
He was first trained and competed by Yvonne Snieder who rode the 2017 Pavo Cup semi-finals with him, but finished second to last in the 6-yearold division. Trained by Tonnie Huberts, they moved to ZZ-level in 2018. She trained him to FEI level.
Emmelie Scholtens
In September 2021 the black moved in training with Emmelie Scholtens.
At their national Grand Prix debut in April 2022 they scored 70,906%. They made their international show debut shortly afterwards at the CDI Kronenberg, where they posted 60.826% in the Grand Prix and 62.043% in the Special.
The horse stayed home for a while, also because Scholtens was pregnant and gave birth to her first child as well as injured herself in February 2023. At the 2023 CDI Leeuwarden they rode their second international show as a pair and the scores showed improvement. After a 67.935% in the Grand Prix (8th), they rode the freestyle and won with 72.565%.
Didn't Know What to Expect
"I don't realize it yet," Emmelie said after winning the Kur. "I was doubting to even ride (the kur) and now we won it in this surrounding. It was our first freestyle ever and didn't know what to expect."
Emmelie continued, "Glory Days is a sensitive horse so it was quite scary. After the Grand Prix I had to choose between the Kur and Special and because I like riding freestyles I chose that. Now I'm very happy with that choice. Of course there is room for improvement, but I'm happy for now and there is definitely more in this horse.
Photo © Digishots
Related Links
Scores: 2023 CDI Leeuwarden
Imagine, Total U.S., Great Lady TC In the Lead after 2017 Pavo Cup Semi Finals