Sunday, 19 May 2013 CDI4* CDI3* CDIU25

Jill de Ridder takes home CDI U25 Grand Prix de Dressage win to Germany

Young German rider Jill de Ridder must also have inherited her great talent from her father. Today the daughter of successful international trainer Antonie 'Ton' de Ridder showed just how well you can ride a Grand Prix even at an early age. The 21-year-old and her experienced 18-year-old Wanderer son Wellington looked extremely harmonious both to the judges and the audience. They did not make any slips and, after second place yesterday (CDIU25 Int II), were rewarded with the crown for this top performance today (71.791%).

“It is amazing to win at such a perfect event as here at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. I managed to perfect my test over yesterday’s performance. Luckily, my horse was also full of life today, although he’s now 18! A big thank you to the Glocks and the whole team: this event is simply incredible,” said the Junior European Championship gold medallist (2007) enthusiastically at the winner’s interview. 

She and Lotje Schoots (NED) changed places in this competition — the young Dutch girl won the Young Rider event yesterday and was runner-up today. Lotje’s Dutch-bred gelding Ruby has not yet gained much Grand Prix experience, but she guided him to another superb performance today, which paid off to the tune of 70.535%.

Third place went to a Spanish-German pair. Laura Reija (ESP) and her Baden-Württemberg gelding Recuerdo only showed slight tentativeness in their test, with the result that the young Spanish rider was very pleased with her score of 67.256%.

11 U25 Int’l Dressage Competition - Grand Prix de Dressage
Test: FEI Young Rider Grand Prix 16-25, 2009

1. Wellington - de Ridder, Jill (GER) 71.791%
2. Ruby - Schoots, Lotje (NED) 70.535%
3. Recuerdo - Reija, Laura (ESP) 67.256%
4. Ronaldo - Stieglmaier, Franziska (GER) 66.744%
5. BMC Ucento - Mierlo, Danielle van (NED) 65.674%
6. Donna Diandra 2 - Aeberhard, Carla (SUI) 62.860%
7. Schambuka Soelyst - Aaen, Anne Sofie (DEN) 62.791%
8. Active Private Dancer - Aeberhard, Simona (SUI) 62.442%
9. Ontario - Hoeflake, Machteld (NED) 60.279%
Results link

Jill de Ridder (GER) and Wellington © Michael Rzepa

Yesterday victory, today runner-up spot for Lotje Schoots (NED) and Ruby © Michael Rzepa

A harmonious pair: Laura Reija (ESP) and Recuerdo © Michael Rzepa