2009 CDI-PJYR Moorsele

Photo Report - A Day in Moorsele

May 26, 2009

Only two weeks after the international youth riders competition in Weert, The Netherlands, Europe's best and most promising FEI pony, junior and young riders gathered again for a competition at the Zilveren Spoor equestrian centre in Moorsele, Belgium. For a moment, it was uncertain that the show would go on because the owner of Zilveren Spoor, internationally acclaimed show jumping rider Jean Claude van Geenberghe, had died unexpectedly at a jumping show in Ukraine. The Belgian born Jean Claude (who rides for Ukraine) managed Zilveren Spoor together with his sister Veronique and she will carry on the tradition. The CDI-PJYR Moorsele would take place, as well as the 2009 European Pony Championships the last week of July 2009.

On Saturday morning 6 AM, I jumped in my car for a two-hour drive to Moorsele, Belgium. I photographed the entire Young Riders class and the second part of the Pony Riders individual test. I also got the chance to snap some of the junior riders. Here is a selection of photos I took and love and those photos are not always of the top placed horses and riders!!

What a beautiful pair: German Thea Felicitas Muller on her Hanoverian Highway (by Hohenstein). This horse has the most amazing powerful hind leg in canter. They won the individual test and kur.	Dutch young rider Karlijn Lemmers presented Rex, an 11-year old black gelding by Climax
British Zoe Sleigh on Rhodez, a 9-year old Hanoverian gelding by De Niro out of Romantika	Veronique Henschen on Fontalero (by Werther). Talk about engagement from behind!
We absolutely love this pair: Brecht d'Hoore on Sital (by Metall). So light, so soft.. and with more spark this time compared to Weert. Of course the scores went up too.	French combination Anne Chapron on the Belgian bred Sweltmeyer (by Weltmeyer II). The shape of Sweltmeyer's croup and hindquarters mirrors that of his sire.
Diederik van Silfhout on yet another Prix St Georges horse, the fourth he's competing this season. Here you see Vorst D (by Hors la Loi x Lancelot)	The Van Silfhout family watching one of their students ride: Jarissa, father Alex, and Diederik
A true Diamond Hit Look-alike: Wild Diamond	Alice Oppenheimer's Wurlizer
Judge and former JR YR chef d'equipe Dominique Rimanque. He was the announcer at the show.	Swedish patch.
The revelation of Moorsele. She's been good before, but Mieke Mommen really rose to the occasion this time. She blew away all competition in the junior classes and is a medal hopeful for the 2009 European Championships. Let it be gold !	Belgian FEI pony rider Noemie Goris is slowly making the transition to junior riders' level. Though she'll compete pony Alexandre Dumas at the European Championships, she also has a winner with this horse, Wunderbar (by Waikiki x Acapulco)
A small aviation club is located right behind the equestrian centre. The entire day one plane was taking off and dropping parachutists. It was fun to watch them land, as if they were going to come down straight into the arena.	When there were no planes taking off, some miniature airplanes were flying through the sky at great speed. You got to see every type of aircraft imaginable: spitfires, double deckers, helicopters, stealths.
A new bridle, a new pony. Luxembourg Michele Thill put a new noseband on her pony Virgil and he was much more with her, more balanced, more on the aids. Great development.	Norwegian Astrid Rikheim Westberg on Dumbledore (by Dornik x Black Magic)
Franka Loos on Schermeer Hof Arendsoog. This pony lacks some suspension in trot, but then when he goes into extended trot, he flies	Polish Anna Jedrezejczyk and her gorgeous Belgian riding pony Epiascer. He's a hot cracker and it's keeping the lid on the cooker with him, but he's got great movements.
Swedish Marina Mattsson on Champagner W (by Constantin)	French Victoria Saint Cast on Dragon Heart (by Don't Worry)
Charlotte Gill's trainer Darryll Thickitt in crutches. The fans watch Charlotte ride.	Charlotte Gill's first CDI on European soil. She's riding the 2008 European team bronze medal winning Ferrari
British Olivia Leak on De Vito	Big sister Natasha Leak on Langar
All of a sudden a fire broke out in the distance (not the house).	Luxembourg Fabienne Claeys and Domino in a shoulder in with the fire in the background
Claeys was very happy with her ride.	Nynne Ebbenaes' Proud Don Caruso
No no, not the way to go at a show! German Theresa Bausch was pulling her Dornik Double from left to right while travelling the ring.	The pony has TONS of quality and is a fantastic mover, but the contact with the bit was hard, heavy, and unsteady.. Hello judges, submission, lightness??
Katharina Weychert's lovely palomino Golden Derano C (by Derano Gold)	The French are waving flags after Guillem's ride on Marin des As.
British Claire Gallimore showed an exemplary contact with the bit. Always light, soft and steady in the mouth, Gigolo does a great job. Next time a bit more guts and you'll score over 70%	Dutch Romy Bemelmans on Vinkenhove Lester (by Pionier's Baltazar X Vinkenhove Fallon). This pony was proclaimed Dutch Welsh Sport Pony of the Year 2008.

Show Photography