The very first CDI Selection Trial for Belgian FEI Riders was held at the Bilzen 'Paardenhumaniora' on January 30, 2002. A few riders were able to reach the necessary quotum score of 63% for participation in CDI competitions. This first selection trial counted as test for an entry in the CDI shows of Zwolle, Jerez de la Frontera and the CDI-PJYR in Bilzen, Belgium.

Zagers Wins Grand Prix
Three Grand Prix riders were present for a ride in Bilzen. Johan Zagers was the high scorer aboard the Belgian warmblood Mister Saygon. He received 66.60% from Mariette Withages, Freddie Leyman and Jacques van Daele. Zagers rode his licensed stallion Mister Saygon for the first time in a Belgian selection trial. His former Grand Prix horse Mio de Baugy got sold last year. Former young rider Veronique de Baecker made her Grand Prix debut aboard her number one horse Herrzas. She scored 61.20%. Ludo Verbraeken and his black Juturn made their rentree on the scene after a 3 year absence from competitions. The duo scored 60%. "Ludo and Juturn rode a very correct test with absolutely gorgeous moments but the rider was nervous and that probably cost him points," Mariette Withages commented. "Veronique de Baecker had the same problem. She was very nervous. The beginning of the test was very good but she made too many mistakes at the end," Withages explained.

Karsten Hooked Up With Van Ingelgem
In the Intermediaire I test an interesting new combination presented itself. The KWPN-AES licensed stallion Karsten van de Zuuthoeve (by Ramiro) is now ridden by a fourth new rider, this time Stefan van Ingelgem. Owner Rene Vets was not content with the match of his stallion with rider Wim Verwimp, nor with Stefan Hollanders, nor with Philippe Jorissen. Van Ingelgem is the fourth one to have a go with this dapple grey mount and he scored more than the required 63%. The test, which had many inaccuracies especially in the pirouettes and traversal movements, in which the horse constantly fell over the shoulder, was brushed up by a nice performance of the tempi changes every three strides. Also scoring above 63% were Serge Pais with Wakan.

Youth Riders Seems Ready for Their Level
In the FEI Pony division Sakine van Dijck excelled aboard her Belgian bred Renoir F van het Juxschot. They pair put 64.84% on the score board which is more than a reasonable start of the season. Caroline Bummers and her New Foresy Pony Winsome's Dukaat have matured much since last year and produced a 63.98% score.

Junior Rider Leen Cools dominated her class with the Belgian bred Le Primo van het Gestelhof (by Primo de Bruyere). This elegant combination received 66.04% from the judges.

Three young riders were able to hit more than 63%. 2001 Junior Rider Champion Hannelore Volders got 65.79% aboard her Jakko. Ruth van Campen and her Hanoverian bred Capriccio scored 64.74% and Barbara di Pietrantonio seems to be growing. With her Dutch La Bamba, she collected 63.95%. "The young riders performed well but much work still needs to be done on the difficulty level," Withages said. The transition from Junior to Young Riders level is a big one and the tempi changes and pirouettes often present additional problems for young riders.

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Entry List First CDI Selection Trial