Tag Archives: Leida Collins-Strijk

Leida Collins-Strijk and Zantros Conclude AGDF 10 with Victory in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle

Leida Collins-Strijk and Zantros. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Irons, Hendricks, Matute Jr., and Molina Earn Divisional Honors Florida International Youth Dressage Championships

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2016 – Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and Zantros finished with a win in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, on the final day of competition of week ten at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), scoring a 73.250%. Lindsay Kellock (CAN) and Royal Prinz followed in second place with a 72.250%, while Christer Egerstrom (CRC) and Bello Oriente collected third place earning a 70.750%. AGDF will conclude with its final week of competition on March 30 – April 2.

Collins-Strijk has been a dominant force in Small Tour competition with both of her mounts, Zantros and Don Tignanello. Zantros, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Krack C x Hinde-Utopia), performed a solid test with Collins-Strijk in the irons today, even though Collins-Strijk noted he was a bit behind her leg during the test.

“Today was the first time that [Zantros and I have] done the freestyle this season. I was waiting to see if it was going to fit with him, but because I know the music really well I felt like it was good,” said Collins-Strijk. “I think he was a little bit tired today because of the weather this week and they’ve been here a lot, but that’s what I felt.”

Collins-Strijk has found incredible consistency with both of her mounts, and Don Tignanello has been a breakout star this season.

“He was very good this week too, just a little bit tired also. It’s the end of the season and they’ve been in the ring a lot at this point. They both really tried this week and I’m proud of them, even though that sparkle may have been off a little bit,” she continued.

Collins-Strijk praised Zantros for his quality trot, which always receives good marks from the judges during their test. She detailed, “He has a really nice trot. It’s very light and elegant, and you can get that swing in the half passes. It’s where he really scores well.”

This week also served as a special competition for Collins-Strijk, as Mike and Roz Collins, essential members of team Collins-Strijk, sponsored the entire Small Tour division, in which Collins-Strijk won all three classes.

“It was very cool I thought. It was great and it doesn’t always work out like that, but this time it did and I was very pleased,” she smiled.

Irons, Hendricks, Matute Jr., and Molina Earn Divisional Honors Florida International Youth Dressage Championships

Four talented individual riders collected championship accolades today at AGDF for their performances in this week’s Florida International Youth Dressage Championships presented by Kim Boyer, the Davis family, the Kane family, and Dressage4Kids, highlighting international dressage riders under the age of 25.

Hannah Irons, 16, of Queenstown, MD, rode Bohdjan to capture top honors in the FEI Pony division, while Felicitas Hendricks, 15, of Hagen, Germany, and Faible AS won the FEI Junior division. Juan Matute Jr., 18, of Madrid, Spain, and Dhannie Ymas were recognized for their top performances in the FEI Young Rider division, while Pablo Gomez Molina, 21, of Valencia, Spain, and Tarpan Ymas earned the Under 25 championship.

Six different nations were represented in championships, while riders from around North America traveled to partake in one of the main CDI championships hosted for the next generation of dressage riders.

Juan Matute Jr. and Dhannie Ymas
Juan Matute Jr. and Dhannie Ymas

Juan Matute Jr. competes in a number of divisions on a typical CDI week at AGDF, but has found a new sense of consistency in his rides and brings a positive energy to the ring with each test. Earning the FEI Young Rider championship, Matute Jr. discussed his approach to the week.

“I’m very lucky to be able to ride many different kinds of horses that give you different feelings. Thank you to Yeguada Ymas, my sponsor, for allowing me to have these opportunities,” said Matute Jr. “I think our goal this week was to reach high scores, which are always the goal, but also to experience new feelings, like softer aids and a lighter contact, but it’s also about enjoying the championship. We’re all young and we’re supposed to have fun, which is our priority here.”

Matute Jr. competed with his gold medal-winning European Championship mount, Dhannie Ymas. The pair continues to earn big scores, and their partnership has only strengthened since last season.

“He’s a superstar. He’s a super talent. He’s very ambitious, which is where some of our mistakes came from this week, being a bit overly ambitious, which was mutual,” he laughed. “Little by little we’re making our steps to the higher levels together.”

Hendricks and Faible AS have been very competitive on the AGDF tour since last season, which was their first time ever competing in the United States. Hendricks, who rides with the Christoph Koschel, has formed a strong bond with Faible AS, consistently performing relaxed and fluid tests.

“I’ve been riding him for a little bit over a year now, and he can be very special. This is great experience for him here in this international ring,” said Hendricks. “He learns from show to show as do I. Every show is a new beginning for us, and he always gives his best. I try to do my best too for him.”

“Last year when we came, that was my first international show. This is my second year doing them, and I hope that we will be able to come back next year as well,” she continued.

Irons and Bohdjan competed together for the first time at the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships this week and the experience is something that Irons feels was very beneficial for the duo.

“Bohdjan was graciously donated to Dressage4Kids by Bebe Davis and the Davis family, so he has a lot of experience in the FEI Pony division. I started competing him last summer, so he has taught me a lot already,” said Irons. “This was our first CDI together, and it was a fun experience getting to know riders from all over the world and competing at such a big facility. It was a whole new level for me, and it was a great experience.”

“I’m very thankful to everyone that has given me the opportunity to be here, Dressage4Kids, who own Bobo, and my parents and friends for all of their support,” she added.

Gomez Molina and Tarpan Ymas, owned by Yeguada Ymas, is a relatively new pair, as Gomez only took over the ride on the stunning chestnut gelding earlier this season. Their performances in the Under 25 division at the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships served as their second CDI competition together and their first championship event at AGDF.

“Yeguada de Ymas gave me a really good horse to ride in the Under 25. We had some mistakes today, but I’m happy because he was good too,” said Gomez Molina. “We are very happy with our tests this week. We are just beginning together now.”

Gomez Molina is looking forward to forging a partnership with Tarpan Ymas and working with him more throughout this year to solidify their understanding and communication in the ring.

“I think right now, it’s about working every day outside of the shows, but also keeping showing and keep going. We’re going to continue learning,” he noted.

For more information on AGDF please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Carly Weilminster
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Leida Collins-Strijk Rides Don Tignanello to Victory in FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle at AGDF

Leida Collins-Strijk and Don Tignanello. Photo: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – January 17, 2016 – After competition was postponed in the early morning due to continued inclement weather surrounding Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and Don Tignanello made the most of their afternoon in the Global International Ring at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) as competition resumed at 10 a.m. The pair received a 73.700% to take the win in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle presented by The Axel Johnson Group. The competition concluded the first full week of competition at AGDF, which is named in memory of AGDF manager Lloyd Landkamer.

Michael Klimke (GER) and Djamba Djokiba earned second place with a score of 73.625%, while Katharina Stumpf (AUT) and For My Love finished in third place, receiving a 64.275%.

Collins-Strijk returned to AGDF for the first time since 2014 and was incredibly happy to be back in Wellington, FL for the winter circuit, performing exceedingly well in her first competition back with a new mount.

“I think today was a very good test for us. I think it was better than on Friday when he was a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere and today he felt more free and balanced. Overall I was really happy,” noted Collins-Strijk.

With a balanced and consistent effort throughout the week, the pair earned scores above the 70% mark in each of the three Small Tour classes this week, setting them up nicely for what Collins-Strijk hopes to be a move to Grand Prix before the end of the season.

“He has a really nice and cool temperament, and he’s only gotten better. He knows a lot of the Grand Prix and I think I would like to get him into that, but I would like to do a few more of these shows first to get to know him better,” she commented. “I’m hoping that it will happen this year. He can definitely do it, but I haven’t ridden in competitions since last time we were here so we’ll have to see where the season takes us.

“We always enjoy being here. We have family here and we can do everything, whether that be sports with the kids or things with the horses, everybody really likes it here. It is wonderful to spend our winters here,” she continued.

The freestyle choreography was composed by Collins-Strijk’s husband, Tim Collins, and has received good marks over the years. Collins-Strijk explained, “We used it for a stallion of ours, but it always does well and it has a great beat. It fits with any horse, and that’s why I love riding it.”

David Marcus (CAN) and Chrevi’s Capital, owned by Deborah Kinzinger-Miculinic, earned the win in the FEI Consolation Grand Prix with a score of 64.900%. Adrienne Pot (USA) and Something Special owned by James & Elizabeth Bramsen, followed in second with a score of 65.900%, while Jennifer Marchand (USA) and Cardeur collected third place honors, receiving a 62.167%.

Today concluded the first week CDI competition at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, as international dressage competition will continue at the venue through Saturday, April 2. The Para-Equestrian CPEDI, presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena, runs January 22-24, while the AGDF 3 CDI-W and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by U.S. PRE Association; FEI Grand Prix & Grand Prix Special, presented by Yeguada de Ymas; FEI Small Tour, presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute is on January 28-31.

For more information on AGDF and to see a full schedule and lists of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Carly Weilminster
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com