By KFPS
Photography: Johanna Faber

Dana van Lierop made a successful dressage debut during the CDI4* in Hungary the third week in June riding the Friesian stallion Johnny Cash (Tsjalle 454 x Tjimme 275) – studbook name Jelger fan it Hiem. The pair triumped gloriously in both the Prix St Georges and the Inter I freestyle to music, with splendid percentages – 71.177% and 75.045%, respectively.

According to Dana van Lierop partnering Johnny Cash for the first time in international competition, “I knew he was good, but that he would do so well was a surprise.”

First international appearance

Dana had travelled with 13 horses for her five-day stay at this FEI event in Pilisjászfalu, in the Budapest region of Hungary. For Johnny Cash it was his first experience abroad at a multi-day competition. “For us, the main thing was whether his appearance would go down well with the jury,” she explained. Thankfully, despite being only 26 years of age, she is in the top rank of Dutch dressage riders and has a lot of international experience herself. “Some jury members are definitely still prejudiced when it comes to Friesian horses, but they all loved Johnny. Many jury members even looked me up after the competition to tell me how much they had enjoyed it, they were so smitten with him. He has a modern type, presented a very fine and friendly picture in the test and was keen to work. Johnny gives himself to the full 100%, quite amazing,” Dana stated, explaing that she “could ride Johnny nicely over his back and in a fine long frame. His canter in particular is very impressive, he has great cadence in trot and good length of stride in walk. Actually, he is capable of scoring eights for all elements and he still has so much more potential.’.. To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber

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