Anniek van Dulst Wins 2025 CDI Leeuwarden While Making Career Decisions

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2025 CDI Leeuwarden

Dutch team rider Anniek van Dulst made it a double win in the Young Riders division at the 2025 CDI Leeuwarden on 17 - 18 October 2025.

In a field of 12 combinations, Van Dulst and the 8-year old KWPN bred My First Choice Dutopia (by First Choice x Sir Sinclair) edged out all the competition, winning the team test with 71.863% and the freestyle with 74.200%.

My First Choice Dutopia

In her second year as a young rider and her first season competing the chestnut gelding, Van Dulst won individual test silver at the 2025 European Young Riders Championships in Kronberg in July. Leeuwarden was the pair's first CDI since their glorious medal reaping.

"After the European Championship, I didn't compete in major competitions and decided that I wanted to do a few fun competitions this indoor season," said Anniek. "I had never been to Indoor Friesland before, but I had heard many positive stories about it. None of that was exaggerated; I think it's really beautiful here, it even exceeds my expectations.

My First Choice Dutopia is owned by De Weegh family, who contacted Anniek when they read she had lost the ride on her junior horse Henderson i(by Johnson x Chronos) n 2021. "I haven't always ridden him myself in these four years. When I was very busy for a while, my mother rode him. She certainly played a part in our successes, as did my trainer Jennifer Sekreve," said Anniek.

Physical Education Teacher or Rider

The 20-year Van Dulst is graduating soon as a physical education teacher, but says she's unsure whether she'll keep up academics.

"My future is still uncertain," said Anniek. "I am not sure whether I want to continue studying, start working, pursue a career in horses, or perhaps a combination of these. Incidentally, training horses and teaching physical education are quite similar. Both require a great deal of patience and transparency."

Back in Action

In Leeuwarden, Belgian Liezel Everars also took her 9-year old Westfalian mare Venere (by Vitalis x Jazz) out for the first time since the 2025 European Young Riders Championships last July. The pair finished second in the team test with 70.049% and placed fourth in the freestyle with 72.255%.

"There was still a little tension," Liezel said about the team test, but she was "very proud of my girl at our first ever indoor international competition." About the freestyle, Liezel commented that, "Venere had so much power, which caused some little things. Overall super happy with how she behaved in this beautiful arena." Liezel trains with Suraya Hendrikx and Ton de Ridder.

A Helicopter Ride Away

After placing fourth in the team championship test with 69.265%, Dutch team riders Yasmin Westerink and her steady ride, 13-year old Oldenburg gelding Amphitryon (by Ampere x Rosario) were the runners-up in the Kur with 73.790%.

The 18-year old Westerink is in her first year as young rider and has ridden two European Championships on "Alf" in 2024 and 2025. Last year she trained with Adelinde Cornelissen, but now disclosed she's working with Dutch team trainer Monique Peutz. Westerink is already working with horses professionally alongside her boyfriend, Yosrin Wachikh, who trains young horses and prepares stallions for the licensing.

Making it to Leeuwarden for the freestyle was a close call as she competed two horses at the national show in the morning and rented a helicopter to fly her to Leeuwarden to compete Amphitryon. "We decided to book a helicopter at Lelystad airport and got picked up at home and dropped off on the soccer field next to the WTC arena."