With an overall two point difference with second placed De Deken, Lynn Maiburg of Pulderbos, Belgium, became the 2001 Belgian Pony Champion. Aboard Meerke's Kashmir (by Bokkensprong Czardas x Twickle Julius), Maiburg won the par equipe with 66.80% and placed second in the individual test. Her total of 132.09 points gave her the overall lead and the gold medal. "Lynn was extremely nervous before getting into the ring for her individual test," mother Ann Maiburg explained. "Of course all the kids want to do their best and Lynn had really set her sight on the title. She was nervous all morning, even though she said not to be." All pressure went away once Maiburg entered the ring and with almost a flawless individual test, she knew the 2001 title was hers. It was probably because she warmed up with Ulla Salzgeber, that Maiburg found inspiration for her ride. Last year, she already claimed the bronze medal at the 2000 Belgian Championships.

It has been quite a tough, final year for 16-year-old Lynn Maiburg. She started the season off with the best intentions for the Belgian and European Championships. Her Welsh pony Meerke's Kashmir has all the quality and potential to capture a European medal, but due to the lack of consistent training, Maiburg lost that necessary top shape during the season. At the beginning of the show season, Maiburg was trained by Dutch Leunis van Lieren and the combination improved week after week. They won every single test during the pony selection trials and Maiburg raised the hope of pony chef d'equipe Carine Godefroid to become the leading pony rider in Belgium.

Unfortunately, due to the foot and mouth disease in the Netherlands, the Maiburgs were unable to trailer their pony to Holland every week and they had to fall back on the guidance of Sandra Lotens. Maiburg and Kashmir remained to dominate the Belgian pony circuit and won almost every single show they entered, but the combination never reached a 70% score which actually lay in their capabilities. The highlight of the season was probably the overall victory at the CDI-P Le Touquet, France, but it were the European Pony Championships were the actual top performance had to be produced. The pair set down a nice performance at the Eurochampionships in Vejer de la Frontera (ESP) but more was expected from them. Besides the loss of real professional guidance right before the biggest event in a pony riders' career, it has been rumoured that other extra-competitional factors played a role in Maiburg's rather disappointing act in Vejer. "It's a pithy that it had to be that way," Ann Maiburg explained, "especially because you invest so much money into the pony. The training, the transportation, the enterance fee, hotel, additional expenses; it all adds up at the end of a European Championships and as a parent you want to best for your child. Lynn has had a beautiful show in Spain and all in all it was a wonderful experience for her," Maiburg reminisces.

But the season was not over yet. Lynn Maiburg was destined to capture at least one golden medal and she set her sight on the Belgian Championships. Switching back to her very first trainer, Carlos de Cleermaeker, the pair was able to boost up their act again and peak in Lier. Kashmir is an exceptional dressage pony and with his three superb basic gaits, Maiburg was able to push the best out of her pony. Besides the gold medal, Maiburg also received a very last enterance ticket for the CDI-P in Wanroij. Pony chef d'equipe Carine Godefroid selected the best Belgian combination at the moment and four new comers, which have to constitute the Belgian pony team next year, to compete at the prestigious international pony competition in Wanroij, The Netherlands.

Maiburg is ending her pony career after Wanroij and Meerke's Kashmir will be sold. The Maiburgs have already found a good replacement for their special pony. Her 5-year-old Fortuin Z offspring will have to lead her to more equestrian success in the future.

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