Everdale wins Freestyle to Music, organizer Wim Verwimp takes third
What a beautiful way to close the second day of CDIO Lier. The 3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music was convincingly won by Charlotte Fry and Everdale. Scoring 79.325%, they left Marieke van der Putten and Wim Verwimp behind. For the latter, it was a particularly special third place, Wim Verwimp is one of the event’s organizers.
“This is just incredible! It’s always a joy to ride Everdale, and it was really special to be back in the ring with him,” said Charlotte Fry after the test. With a score just shy of 80%, she showed that the 16-year-old stallion is in peak form. “In yesterday’s Grand Prix he was fantastic and super relaxed. Today, in the freestyle, he got a little excited,” she laughed. “But I had a great time, and so did Everdale.” That was clear after the prize giving, as Everdale (by Lord Leatherdale) proudly posed like royalty with his fans.
Happy to be in Lier
Charlotte Fry has become a familiar face at CDI Lier, which is a regular stop on her competition calendar in March. “I’m really happy to be back here in Lier. We love coming to the indoor edition, and I’m glad the organizers are now hosting an outdoor edition as well.”
A surprise podium finish
Yesterday, Marieke van der Putten placed third in the Grand Prix with the Glamourdale son Kuvasz RS2 N.O.P. Today, she rode her very first international Grand Prix Freestyle with Kuvasz and delivered a top score of 74.080%, earning a well-deserved second place.
The third spot on the podium went to Belgium’s Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa, scoring 73.475%. Did the co-organizer of CDIO Lier expect to end up among the top three? “Absolutely not,” he said with a smile, a wonderful reward for the hard work behind organizing this event.
“Looking forward to tomorrow”
Tomorrow at 2.00PM, the very first FEI Nations Cup Dressage on Belgian soil will take place. Alongside Isabell Werth, Charlotte Fry will also compete. “I’m really looking forward to the Nations Cup tomorrow, I think we’ve got a strong team here,” said the fresh freestyle winner.
Tickets are available online and at the door.
Photo: Digishots
