Twofold U25-winner Zoë Kuintjes uses CDI Lier as steppingstone for EC U25

22-year-old Zoë Kuintjes has been riding in the U25 since last year. Earlier this year, she also made her Grand Prix debut. At CDI Lier, she won both U25 classes and told us that she will start her own stables.

Zoë Kuintjes knows how fast things can go. Since last year, she has been a combination with Cupido, who is owned by RS2 Dressage. With the former Grand Prix horse of Seth Bosman and Robin van Lierop, the intention was to quietly gain experience, but ended in a reserve spot for the U25 European Championship team. “That experience helps us this season”, says the enthusiastic rider.

Focus on U25
“Early this year I rode at Amsterdam, now at Lier and then I hope to go to Aachen in a few weeks’ so that we can get the right form for the qualifications for the EC. I really want to focus with Cup on the U25 this year and to ride some nice competitions.”

CDI Lier is marked in her agenda
According to Zoë, one of those nice competitions is CDI Lier. It’s marked in her agenda. “CDI Lier is well organized and you get the change to ride in a beautiful entourage. The first year I came here with my pony and since then I always try to be there. And of course, it is extra nice to win here, especially in the U25.” Both days she managed to win the U25 trials by about 2 per cent distance. Tomorrow the freestyle is on the programme.

Grand Prix debut
Riding Grand Prix is something different than riding U25, Zoë found out recently. “Yes, that was a bit tough,” she laughs. “Cupido already knows what to do and it came out that way to start Grand Prix now. I thought he could also possibly help me through the test if necessary.” And was that necessary? “Well, it’s really different from a U25 test anyway. You have the same exercises but it’s still a bit tough. Cupido knew very well what he had to do so our score of 69% was not bad at all, but there were still some bumps in it. It was really nice to get this experience in advance.”

Own dressage business
Zoë’s focus is not just on U25 riding this year. From 1 April, Kirsten Brouwer’s former stable rider will start her own dressage stable. “I got so many requests that it became increasingly difficult to continue riding at Brouwer Stables. So that’s why I decided to start my own dressage business.” She hopes to combine the international competitions with some younger horses to train. ” I do really enjoy riding internationally, especially now that I have Cupido. Next to that, I would like to train horses for clients. Training young horses also really gives me a lot of pleasure.” And ultimately? “I would like to compete successfully at the seniors,” Zoë concludes.

Photos Digishots