Raaijmakers and Kevita take Young Riders Freestyle

The Netherlands’ Kebie Raaijmakers and her mare Kevita won today’s concluding Young Riders Freestyle to music with a score of 73.900%. Yesterday’s winner, Yasmin Westerink with Amphitrion, finished a close second. The third-placed combination also scored in the 73% range: Lara van Nek with Jatilinda. This made it a fully Dutch podium.

Kebie Raaijmakers was pleased with her test, but above all very happy with how Kevita behaved throughout the week in Lier. “That she was well behaved, delivered relaxed rounds and had almost no tension. I knew today that I had a good test without mistakes. That was also our goal here, and we managed to achieve it.”

A sensitive mare
In the past, Kevita could be very sensitive and tense, Raaijmakers explains: “Because of that, it has been a challenging journey with her. But perseverance pays off. Especially thanks to our great team. About six months ago I changed trainers, and we are now gaining more and more confidence in each other. We have had ups and downs, but now we are truly a great team. Keep going and keep the trust in each other.”

Raupach in winning mood
In the Junior division, the Freestyle was claimed by Germany’s Martha Raupach, who also won the Individual Test yesterday. Today they scored 76.425%. Second place went to Denmark’s Rikke Maria Schoubye Johansen and Baunehoejens Carpaccio with 74.250%. The Danish athlete finished on the podium in all three Junior tests. Third place also went to Denmark, with Isabella Struntze Torp and Vestervangs Garcon scoring 73.625%.

Results