Dream Start in Lier: Vanerom Secures Belgian Win, Raijmakers Takes Pony Victory

The Children athletes opened CDI Lier this morning with strong results for Belgium. Shirley Vanerom claimed victory in the Lamicell-sponsored Children Preliminary B test, scoring an impressive 79.857% with Ogami van het Beukenhof. In the Pony Team Test, also powered by Lamicell, Dutch athlete Fabiënne Raijmakers took the win with Wrong is Right on a score of 73.381%.

Children winner Shirley Vanerom had already achieved strong results in Lier last year with Ogami van het Beukenhof, but this season she claimed her first victory at the venue. “I really like competing in Lier. Of course, I would love to maintain my first place tomorrow, and I am very happy with this result. My horse always works with me”, said the athlete, who hopes to qualify for the Children European Championships later this year. Vanerom finished ahead of Germany’s Linda Schuchmann with Figo de Halliers, who scored 77.786%, while fellow German athlete Anna Schmieder claimed third place with Freispiel on 76.322%.

Three nations in pony top three
Fabiënne Raijmakers, who won the Pony Team Test with FS Wrong is Right, was delighted with her performance. The Dutch rider is currently in the winning mood, having also claimed the national indoor title with her buckskin pony last week. CDI Lier marks the pair’s second international victory together.

From young horse to international wins
“He is such a lovely pony and always tries his best for me” ,said Raijmakers, who has produced FS Wrong is Right herself from a young age. “This year, we want to try to qualify for the European Championships. Right now, we are competing a lot to gain experience, and Lier is a really beautiful and nice show. We always love coming here, not only because of the great facilities and the atmosphere, but also because of the organisation and our close friendship with Wim Verwimp”, added the student of Bert Rutten.

Second place went to Germany’s Leni-Sophie Gosmann with Diamantini EA W on 72.047%, while Sweden’s Amelia Helene Lilliehöök completed the podium with Moviestar Lady, scoring 68.476%.

Results