Eline Anker and Hermes Find Their Stride at 2026 CDI Leeuwarden

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2026 CDI Leeuwarden

After disappointment at the 2026 European Under 25 Championships where Eline Anker's former Dutch Olympian team horse Hermes refused to go, the pair is back and track and found a winning stride at the 2026 CDI Leeuwarden on 9 - 11 October 2026.

In a small field of just four Under 25 riders, Anker won the Intermediaire II and Kur to Music.

Finding Their Stride

Anker and her 14-year old KWPN licensed bred Hermes (by Easy Game x Flemmingh) scored 67.906% in the Intermediaire II and 76,690% in the freestyle.

"I am very happy," Eline said after the Inter II. "There are always things I can finish off more beautifully and where I need to ride with more confidence, but today it felt really good. I really got to focus on finishing, thinking, and executing. Basically just like I practice in training with Dinja. What I also liked today was that when something became difficult, I was able to resolve it. Highlights were the piaffe, the flying changes, and the left pirouette. The final line was also a real treat. Where most horses would run out of steam at that point, Hermes takes it up a notch.

This was only the second time that Eline performed the freestyle with Hermes.

"I really wanted to put in a good performance, and when you succeed, you're already very happy," she sighed in relief. "And then when you hear your score, nothing can spoil the day. In the warm-up, Hermes was already going well and was clearly at ease. All the ingredients for riding a good test were there."

A Year Into the Partnership

Eline's father Jan, who made his fortune in the Dutch cheese business, had been co-owner of Hermes with stallion keeper Joop van Uytert for several years. The horse made its fame under Dinja van Liere, winning bronze at the 2022 World Championships, fourth at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and represented The Netherlands last at the 2025 European Championships in Crozet, before Van Liere passed on the reins to Eline.

"It is always said that you need a year to become a combination, and that proves to be true," said Eline. "I feel like I am only just really getting to know Hermes now, and I have been riding him for a year."

Hermes is now also listed as a gelding on the score pages.

Professional Rider

Anker acquired the state-of-the art equestrian centre Glock Performance Horse Center in Oosterbeek (NED) as a training base and home for his daughter who wants to make a career out of riding.

"I currently ride six a day and I want to increase that to eight, but I am still busy setting up the business in Oosterbeek together with our manager," she explained. "The horses I ride are of various ages; the youngest is four and Hermes, at fourteen, is the oldest.

Eline added, "I want to learn to ride as well as possible and build the best possible business with our company, Anchor Stables," she said. "We train young horses, but also compete horses to the highest possible level. I enjoy both personally, but I also support everyone working in our company. I wish everyone the very best.'

Her life evolves around horses, but there is one more thing that strikes her fancy: "'Milka bubble chocolate," she laughs.