BD Abroad: Lier CDI4*/CDIU25/CDIP

Britain’s youth riders achieved some very good results at Lier CDI in Belgium last week (28 February – 4 March 2018).

World Class Podium Potential rider Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg (Carano x Midt-West-Ibi-Light) were on good form to deliver a stylish performance in Friday’s Under 25 Grand Prix. Ryan (25) and ‘Charlie’ (pictured last year), a 17-year-old gelding owned by Julie Todd, were rewarded with an exciting international personal best score of 70.043% for second place to Sweden’s Denise Ljungkvist.

Meanwhile, fellow Brit Claire Gallimore who is based in the Netherlands and trains with Tristan Tucker (pictured below with Claire) also rode a cracker of a test. With Annette Ballerina, she scored an identical 70.043% but had to settle for third on collectives. Bar her colour, 13-year-old ‘Bella’ bears a striking resemblance to her father, Scandic, and is similarly expressive.

After a day off, both combinations went forward for the U25 Grand Prix Freestyle, Claire and Annette Ballerina placing fourth with 71.050%, with Ryan and his two-time Young Rider European Championship partner, Charlex Eskebjerg, fifth on 67.125%.

“What a close competition in the kür today! [We scored] 71% ending up fourth and there was only 1.5% between the top four combinations!” said Claire on Claire Gallimore Dressage Facebook. “I am so thrilled with the relaxed yet energetic feeling Bella gave me in the ring. The changes I wanted to make in our performance between Friday’s and today’s I achieved. This is only the second time I have ridden through this Freestyle and so I’m very happy!

“The whole experience at Lier has been a great start to our 2018 U25s Grand Prix campaign and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead. Really proud of what Bella and I have achieved this weekend and thankful to everyone who makes this possible and to all you guys for the support. Stay tuned to see what’s next on our journey together!”

In the highly competitive Pony divisions, Izzy Lickley and the evergreen Going East-sired Gigolo produced two solid tests to take the position of highest placed Brit in both the Team and Individual tests, scoring 65.71% and 67.11% respectively. Then on to Saturday, Lilah Gibbs and her 10-year-old gelding Non Plus Ultra (Noir De Luxe x Nico the Champ) really hit their stride, taking an impressive third place with 72.375%. In the close fought contest, Izzy and Gigolo were seventh on 71.875%.

Results:

Grand Prix
1st Jorinde Werwimp with Tiamo, 72.217% (BEL)
30th Emma Hindle with Romy Del Sol, 62.174% (GBR)

Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Jorinde Werwimp with Tiamo, 77.450% (BEL)
14th Emma Hindle with Romy Del Sol, 65.300% (GBR)

Under 25 Grand Prix
1st Denise Ljungkvist with Soega, 71.966% (SWE)
2nd Ryan Todd with Charlex Eskebjerg, 70.043% (GBR)
3rd Claire Gallimore with Annette Ballerina, 70.043% (GBR)

Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Saadan Que, 72.500% (DEN)
4th Claire Gallimore with Annette Ballerina, 71.050% (GBR)
5th Ryan Todd with Charlex Eskebjerg, 67.125%

Pony Team Test
1st Micky Schelstraete with Elin’s Noncisdador, 73.238% (NED)
12th Isobel Lickley with Gigolo, 65.714% (GBR)
13th Lilah Gibbs with Non Plus Ultra, 65.524% (GBR)
14th Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We, 65.238% (GBR)

Pony Individual Test
1st Micky Schelstraete with Elin’s Noncisdador, 73.559% (NED)
9th Isobel Lickley with Gigolo, 67.117% (GBR)
14th Lilah Gibbs with Non Plus Ultra, 65.541% (GBR)
19th Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We, 61.351% (GBR)

Pony Freestyle Test
1st Micky Schelstraete with Elin’s Noncisdador, 74.375% (NED)
3rd Lilah Gibbs with Non Plus Ultra, 72.375% (GBR)
7th Isobel Lickley with Gigolo, 71.875% (GBR)