The Café Luxembourg awards provided an exciting battle last night. With small differences at the top and with three judges who each had their own favorite. But there was one combination that stood out above themselves. Renate van Uytert – van Vliet and Just Wimphof achieved a very high level and were the rightful winners of this Prix st Georges class. Marlies van Baalen finished in second place with Jacky Kennedy DVB (by Damsey) with 72.451%. Imke Schellekens-Bartels secured third place with Honoré (by Jazz) with 72.353%.

‘I could really enjoy’

”I rode nicely with Just Wimphof and could also really enjoy myself,” Renate van Uytert said after the award ceremony. “When I look back at my test later, of course I still see points for improvement, but I didn’t have any big mistakes. He came in, put his ears on and really did his best. This is super cool. His lateral movements and stretching were highlights of the test for me. He’s getting more and more consistent and it’s getting easier and easier.”

‘Every win gives me a kick’

The win did come as a surprise to Renate. ”When I saw the strong field of competitors, I didn’t think I was going to win. We are in good shape, though, so then you hope so. It always has to happen. Every victory gives me a kick. A competition like Jumping Amsterdam, I really want to go for it. Then it’s mega fun that it succeeds.”

Very beautiful

”Just Wimphof is very beautiful, he has three good movements and a good attitude. The harder the exercises become, the easier he finds it. There is still improvement and that is very nice. Just Wimphof has grown enormously as a dressage horse. I keep training and practicing with him under the guidance of Diederik van Silfhout. This is paying off. I look back at many tests and also get a lot of inspiration from other combinations.”

‘We go for it on Saturday’

”Saturday I also want to ride the freestyle well. Hopefully we can hold this line. We’re going for it on Saturday!”

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