Robin Heiden claimed victory in the U25 class in Lier last night. With a score of 70.343%, the Dutch athlete and Hollywood were the only combination to break the 70% barrier. Great Britain’s Harrison Ashton finished second with Davalerian on 69.069%, while Denmark’s Frederikke Gram Jacobsen secured third place with Ryvangs Zafina. Heiden, who combines her equestrian career with studying law, was very satisfied with her performance.

The 70.343% marked a new international personal best for Heiden and Hollywood. She said: “When I came out of the arena, the feeling was really good. Apart from a small mistake in the one-tempis, we rode a faultless test. I’m very happy that things are improving at every competition. I can now keep riding in the arena myself, instead of sitting back and waiting.”

Getting to know each other
Heiden has been partnered with Hollywood for around two years. The horse was previously ridden at Grand Prix level by current Dutch national coach Patrick van der Meer, and is also known for being a clone of the legendary stallion Jazz. Robin tries not to put too much pressure on herself. “We were given the time to get to know each other,” she explains. “My advantage may have been that I couldn’t ride Grand Prix yet, so I was able to adapt to Hollywood. By now, Hollywood is also adapting to me again. We are trying to make the aids smaller and improve the level of collection. He is a very kind horse and he always enjoys his work.” Heiden continues: “I don’t really think about the fact that he competed at Grand Prix and is a clone of Jazz. The only pressure I put on myself is wanting to do as well as I can, but that doesn’t come from outside expectations.”

Robin Heiden (NED) – Hollywood
CDI Lier 2026
© DigiShots

Groundwork and limited Grand Prix exercises
Hollywood is a very energetic horse, according to Robin. “He is a really funny horse who is always in a good mood. When he gets to do Grand Prix movements, his ears prick up and he thinks, ‘Yes!’ That’s lovely to see. He is truly made for this. He has so much personality.” Together with her mother, Jeany, Heiden does a lot of groundwork with Hollywood. “That helps him understand that all his energy doesn’t have to turn into tension. He also spends the whole day outside. We mainly focus on suppleness with lateral exercises and lots of jogging. We don’t ride the Grand Prix movements very often.”

Balancing sport and studies
The 22-year-old still has some years ahead of her in the U25 category, while also studying law. “Luckily, I can do a lot of my study from home and manage my own schedule. Of course, it sometimes comes down to setting priorities. Besides Hollywood, I ride three other horses: one young horse and two that are already progressing towards Grand Prix level. I don’t yet know what I will do after finishing my studies, but ideally I would like to stay in the horse world and work part-time in law.” With Hollywood, Heiden has clear ambitions: “I hope that we can get the very best out of ourselves. That’s not about specific scores or wins, because we’re not at our peak yet. I want to ride tests that make me think: this is how I want it to be. Then I’m satisfied. And if that happens, I think we can also be competitive at the top of the U25 level.”

Results

The Young Riders Team Test in Lier was claimed by Dutch rider Esmee Boers and her long-time partner Montreux, who topped the leaderboard with a score of 70.539%. The class, made possible by Stal de Muze–Joris de Brabander, saw Denmark’s Theresa Rosenkilde finish second, while Germany’s Clara Paschertz secured third place.

Boers and Montreux produced a consistent and mistake-free test, earning unanimous scores above 70% from the judges. The rider, who has had Montreux in her stable since he was a foal, was delighted with their performance. “The test went really well,” Boers said. “We rode faultlessly, but it is always exciting to see what the judges think. Monty did find the arena a little bit impressive, but he stayed very much with me, and we were still able to deliver a really nice test.”

Self-produced partnership
Until October 2023, Montreux was competed by Boers’ mother, after which Esmee gradually took over the reins. “At that time, Montreux was competing at around Z2 level,” she explained. “We bought him as a foal, and he has grown up and been trained entirely with us. After my Junior horse Kiki G was sold, I started riding Montreux more and more. He is a big, but really lovely and willing horse and always tries his best.”

Esmee Boers (NED) – Montreux
CDI Lier 2026
© DigiShots

Building on success in Lier
This week in Lier, Boers is hoping to continue their strong form. “I would like to ride two more faultless tests and make sure he stays relaxed in the arena,” she said. Boers works full-time in the equestrian world, currently riding around seven horses and teaching at the family’s riding school. “I really enjoy it, especially working more with young horses. Competing is something I love as well.” She has also built up quite a collection of CDI Lier rugs over the years. “With Kiki G I won three, and I have already won one with Montreux too. At home, the horses are often wearing their Lier rugs in the stable, and we even use them in the lorry. I can’t get enough of them,” she laughed.

Rosenkilde and Paschertz
Theresa Rosenkilde finished second with the experienced Blue Hors Zwobber on 70.249%, while Clara Paschertz and Foodfox’ For Gold OLD claimed third place on 70.098%, staying close to the leaders despite a small mistake in the counter canter and flying change.

Results

Belgium is preparing for the start of CDI Lier 2026. From Tuesday 24 February through Sunday 1 March, the Azelhof Equestrian Center in Lier will once again welcome international dressage riders. The ninth edition opens with the youth competitions and will feature a musical show on Saturday evening 28 February by European Champion Justin Verboomen and his top horse Zonik Plus.

The youth riders set the sporting tone at the beginning of the week. From Tuesday 24 February until Thursday 26 February, the international youth classes take center stage. For many young combinations, CDI Lier marks an important first international competition of the season, with the European Championships later this summer on the horizon. Several riders step up to a higher level compared to last year, including Belgian talent Jette de Jong.

“The U25 tests are really demanding”
Jette de Jong has long been regarded as one of Belgium’s most promising young dressage riders and will make her international U25 debut in Lier with Heavenly Charming, a horse with whom she previously progressed through all youth levels and achieved multiple podium finishes. “The U25 tests are really demanding, but I certainly can’t complain about how things are going at the moment,” says Jette de Jong. “Heavenly Charming is trying his heart out and the exercises are improving all the time. If we manage to keep the calm in the test, we consistently produce strong results.” De Jong is no stranger to Lier. “I’m really looking forward to CDI Lier. Last year, apart from my results, I was also very happy with the heated indoor arena. It simply rides a little more comfortably in winter.”

Show by the European Champion with live music
Although European Champion Justin Verboomen will not compete at CDI Lier, he will travel to Lier on Saturday evening 28 February. He will bring his top horse Zonik Plus for a show that has not previously been presented in this form. Verboomen and Zonik Plus made history as the first Belgian combination to win European gold at senior level, claiming both the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle titles. The pair currently leads the FEI Dressage World Ranking and has established itself among the consistent forces in international dressage. In Lier, they will perform a freestyle accompanied by live music from Verboomen’s partner Jonatan Martinez and To The Music. The show will serve as the prelude to the following 3* Grand Prix Freestyle. Tickets are available online.

For the programme, starting lists, results and tickets:
www.belgiumdressageevents.be

Photo Jette de Jong: Digishots