Underdog Marsja Dijkman and Beaujolais claim victory in the 3* Grand Prix
“This is something I really didn’t expect at all,” says the newly crowned winner of the 3* Grand Prix in Lier with a big smile after her test. Riding her 12-year-old Beaujolais, the Dutch rider secured victory with a score of 70.261%, finishing ahead of Belgium’s Amandine Prevost and Tommie Visser.
“I always feel a little bit like the underdog,” laughs Dijkman. “But I was really happy with the test. I told myself beforehand that I really had to ride forward and go for it. I can sometimes ride a little too careful. Last week, the judges told me I should enter the arena a bit more ‘arrogantly’, and I actually tried to do that today”, she says enthusiastically. “I really wouldn’t have dared to dream of this.”
Aiming for the highest possible level
The 12-year-old Beaujolais (by Bordeaux), known at home as Beau or Boris, is owned by Petra Hofman. Dijkman has been riding the gelding for around four years. “Four years ago he was competing at ZZ-Licht level, and now we have already been competing in Grand Prix for around two years,” she says proudly. It is not the first international Grand Prix victory for the combination either. Last year, they won the 3* Freestyle in Deauville. Still, Dijkman remains realistic when talking about her dreams. “Of course, you think about the Olympic Games, but I also try to stay realistic. I mainly want to achieve the highest possible level with this horse. And honestly, I hope he is still far from his full potential. Beau is an amazing horse. He always wants to work and he is incredibly kind.” At home, the gelding spends his days out in the field together with 25 other horses.
Freestyle tomorrow
Tomorrow, the CDI3* continues with the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle, where Dijkman will return to the arena in the Freestyle competition. She is thoroughly enjoying her debut in Lier. “This is my first time in Lier and I really love it here. Everything is so big, but still very compact. The stables are fantastic and the whole event is super well organized.”
