With a score of 77.764%, Dinja van Liere delivered a very solid performance with the KWPN stallion Hermès in Paris. Dinja was especially happy and relieved that her first Olympic test was done. "There were a hundred thousand scenarios in my head about why it wouldn't work out, I wanted it so badly! But we did it: we are 'Olympians'!"

Hermès looked in top shape in the Parisian heat and also gave Van Liere a very 'safe' feeling, according to the rider. Only the corner at K caused a small moment of tension in the test after the extended canter. "He found that corner exciting. There were things happening behind it, and it was quite busy, so he looked at it for a moment. But once we passed the corner, he was back to his usual self. He gave a great feeling throughout the rest of the test," Van Liere said, satisfied.

Looking Forward to the Weekend
Dinja's goal for today was primarily to ride a solid test. "And of course, to qualify myself for the freestyle! After the trouble with Tokyo, I wanted this so much, it had to happen now. The Olympic Games are unique for every athlete. Everyone talked about medals beforehand, but I thought: I want to ride first and finish the first test."

Hermès N.O.P., (Easy Game out of Bukkie elite pref prest EPTM-dres D-OC by Flemmingh, breeder G. Gijsbers from Loosbroek) can certainly do better than today, according to his rider. "There is still room for improvement. The moment of fright was unfortunate, but for the first test, I thought it was very good. He has a day off tomorrow, then we'll work towards the Special on Saturday with good weather. Tomorrow we will just walk and trot quietly, not too much. On Thursday and Friday, I will practice the lines of the Special and the freestyle a bit more. I am especially looking forward to the weekend!"

'I Can Breathe Again'
Van Liere and Hermès had to start early in the field, which the rider didn't mind today. "When the groups were announced and I had to go third, I thought: I might as well get it over with. I've been saying all morning that I'm so glad I get to go now, I'm glad it's done. Now I can breathe again and move on!" Dinja's main goal has been achieved: to ride in the Olympic Games. The focus is now on the Special. "My goal? To score 80%! No, let's aim for a good team result. I want to shine. We definitely have a good team, we are far from out of the running."

Van Liere and Hermès N.O.P. automatically qualified for the individual freestyle final with their second place in Group A of the Grand Prix.

Media Guide Olympic Games

Results

Source: KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans