After two victories for Robin Heiden in the Team Test and Individual Test, it was fellow Dutch athlete Lara van Nek who claimed the win in the U25 Freestyle. Riding the black KWPN stallion All At Once, she scored 74.725%.

It was not the first podium finish of the day for Van Nek, as she had already placed in the top three in the Young Riders class. There she finished third with Jatilinda, a daughter of All At Once. “Jatilinda went very well too, and All At Once was great today as well,” the rider smiled.

Better today
After producing strong performances in earlier competitions this season, including a victory at Jumping Amsterdam, the first U25 test in Lier did not go flawlessly for Van Nek and All At Once. “We had too many mistakes. The tempi changes and pirouettes did not go well, and neither did the extended trot. Yesterday in the Grand Prix 16–25 it was already better, but still not quite how I wanted it. Today everything felt completely right again.”

Enjoying homebred horses
What makes it even more special is that in Lier Van Nek rides two horses bred by her mother. Both Jatilinda and All At Once were born at home at Stal 104, just as her other top horse, Obsession Taonga. “It is one hundred percent enjoyment with horses like these. The fact that I am riding both father and daughter here makes it very special. They are both very sensitive, which is not always easy, but when everything comes together it feels amazing.” With these three horses, Van Nek is eagerly looking forward to the outdoor season. “My goal with All At Once is to be competitive in the U25 division. With Jatilinda and Obsession Taonga I want to do the same in the Young Riders. With all of them I plan to ride the European Championship selection trials, and then I hope things go well there.”

Jacobsen and Heiden
Second place in the U25 Freestyle went to Denmark’s Frederikke Gram Jacobsen with Ryvangs Zafina, scoring 73.025%. Robin Heiden and Hollywood, winners of the Intermediaire II and the Grand Prix 16-25, finished third today with 72.550%.

Results

It was a case of history repeating itself for the Children and Pony riders in Lier today. Just like in yesterday’s Team Test, the Children’s Individual Test was won by Anna Schmieder with Freispiel. The Pony Freestyle went to Fabienne Raijmakers with Wrong is Right, the same combination that claimed victory in the Team Test.

Germany’s Anna Schmieder scored 77.968% this time and was pleasantly surprised by her win. “I didn’t expect it, I just wanted to ride another nice test like yesterday. To win as well makes it even more special. Hearing my national anthem being played for me is a very special feeling. He will now get a few days of rest at home and then we’ll see what comes next.” Shirley Vanerom and Ogami van het Beukenhof once again produced the best Belgian result, finishing second with 77.093%. Third place went to Germany’s Linda Schuchmann with Figo de Halliers on 74.931%.

Raijmakers triumphs again in Pony Freestyle
Fabienne Raijmakers and FS Wrong is Right scored 77.383% in their concluding Freestyle in Lier. “It went really well, I’m very happy with the ride,” said the Dutch rider, who performed the same Freestyle with which she became Dutch Champion last week. “He will now have a few days off and then we’ll start preparing for the Freestyle at The Dutch Masters.” Germany’s Leni-Sophie Gosman finished second with Diamantini EA WE, while Sweden’s Amelia Helena Lilliehöök claimed third place with Moviestar Lady.

Westerink wins Young Riders Individual Test
Last night, Dutch rider Yasmin Westerink won the Young Riders Individual Test with her black Amphitrion, scoring 70.784%. “Yesterday went really well, including the warm-up, and I managed to maintain that feeling in the test.” Alongside Amphitrion, Westerink also brought Fashion in Black to Lier in the Young Riders class, although he stood somewhat in the shadow of his stable companion. Nevertheless, the rider was pleased with both horses. “Fashion in Black did better yesterday than on the first day, I’m super proud of him. I can always rely on Amphitrion. I will be riding a new Freestyle. He really excels in his trot, and his canter pirouettes are strong as well. He also has a beautiful presence, very relaxed and calm.” Esmee Boers finished second in the Young Riders Individual Test with Montreux, while Theresa Rosenkilde and Blue Hors Zwobber placed third.

Results

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.”

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.”

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