Thousand Kilometer Trek to 2018 CDI-W Zakrzow Pays Off for Ida Persson

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2018 CDI-W Zakrzow

The 1250 km trek across Europe turned out to be a winning journey for Swedish youngster Ida Persson, taking out all three junior tests in her debut international competition at the 2018 CDI-W Zakrzow on 26 - 28 October 2018.

The 15-year old debutant scored 69,455%, 70,941% and 73,035% on board her 18-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Tago (by Larix x Indiaan A). Ida says that doing her best paid off!

“The highlight of the competition was that I had so much fun and in addition to that was that I won all three days,” said an excited Ida. “I have trained very purposefully each day, especially in the first days Junior Team Competition, to get us off to a good start, as we normally we always get better and better as the event goes on. I told myself not to have high expectations, except to do my best. I did my best and that paid off."

Traveling from the south of Sweden through Denmark and Germany, before reaching Poland, Tago arrived in good shape and is luckily already experienced with long trips and big atmospheres.

“He is a very well educated horse and with his previous owner he competed at Grand Prix Level. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn on an experienced horse, but of course you still have to find the correct buttons," Ida explained. "Tago is a very sensitive individual that needs a lot of love and care. He is also the boss in the stable."

Purchased by Ida’s family in August 2017 just after his retirement from Grand Prix, Tago was a good match for Ida from the first ride.

“As dressage was quite new for me at the time it took me the first 6 months to find the perfect communication with him. Now I feel that we are progressing every month, “ added Ida.

Based at her family's dressage facility in Sweden, Ida trains with Lisa Munter who comes two or three times a week to help her during competition season.

“I also train regularly with Johanna Due-Boje and Elisabeth Lundholm (former Swedish team trainer), I also get a lot of support from my parents with the daily stable tasks," she said.

Ida’s plan for next year is to compete more at international Level and hopefully be part of the Swedish Junior Team and participate in the Nordic Championships.

“I would also love to participate in the European championships, but in terms of future dreams I think it would be a fantastic experience to be able to train one day with Charlotte Dujardin or Patrik Kittel," she stated.