Image: Jessica Dertell and Cennin competing at Olomouc CDI in the Czech Republic, their second show in Europe, by Equine Sport Center Olomouc.
Australian dressage rider Jessica Dertell travelled to Europe in April to embark on her Paris Olympic campaign with Sabble Farm’s 17-year-old KWPN stallion, Cennin.
Born and bred in the Netherlands, it’s a trip not unfamiliar to Cennin, however competing in Europe is certainly a new experience for nineteen-year-old Jess. That being said, three competitions down and she’s taking it all in her stride!
The pair are based with their coach, Annemieke Vincourt-Krom, in the Netherlands as they enter the final stages of their campaign for selection on the Australian dressage team for Paris.
“Cennin travelled over quite well. He actually had a whole container to himself, so he got a little bit more leg room… first class!” says Jess of the flight over from Australia. “Cennin arrived in top health; he got off the plane and travelled to Stal Krom, and settled in well and was back into his routine within a few days of arriving, looking amazing.
“That’s all due to the help of our Ranvet products,” says Jess, who is a Ranvet ambassador. “I use the Electro Paste® and Recovery-Aid Paste® with Cennin, prior to travel and also after riding. It just gives him that extra boost.
“I also have Cennin back on his Flexi-Joint Plus, Grand Prix Oil, and Ration Balancer, alongside his electrolyte supplements, just so his feed is as close as possible to what he’d have at home, to keep all the nutrition coming into his body that he is used to as well as taking care of his joints.”
Competing in Europe
Jess and Cennin have to date contested three events – the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Compiègne, France (2-5 May), Olomouc CDI in the Czech Republic (23-26 May), and Hagen CDI (6-10 June) in Germany – and are now looking forward to Kronberg CDI from 20-23 June.
“Compiègne was an amazing competition. It was my first-ever CDIO5* Nations Cup and competing for Australia was such a privilege,” says Jess. “To be there alongside someone who has been a big part of my journey, Mary Hanna, was incredible – she is such a supportive person. Unfortunately, Lyndal wasn’t able to compete, but she was there every step of the way with all the support she could give via messages and calls, which was really amazing – as was the whole support team. It was amazing to finally meet Chef d’Equipe, Amanda Renouard, in person.”
Despite travelling well and arriving in great shape, Jess explains that like people, horses experience a certain amount of jet-leg when travelling internationally – something really only resolved by time.
“I had a great competition; there were definitely highs and lows, as there can be at all competitions. Cennin had only been in Europe for less than three weeks at that point, so he was still somewhat jet-lagged,” she explains.
“Unfortunately, jet lag is a big factor when competing at the top-level. It can take the horses anywhere from three to six weeks to fully get over their flight. Unfortunately for us, Cennin, although healthy, was not quite his usual perky self.
“However, we made the best of the competition and I’m very proud of lots of little moments within our tests. It obviously wasn’t perfect, but I’m super excited that I had the opportunity to be there and start our journey in Europe for this campaign,” says Jess.
“Olomouc was another amazing competition, the grounds were great, everything was close by, it had good surfaces, and the team there at Olomouc – the show coordinators and other competitors – were super. I really enjoyed the experience there. It was still within a relatively close timeframe of Cennin arriving from Australia in terms of jet-lag, but he was beginning to feel a more like himself.”
Hagen CDI, held at P.S.I.’s stunning Hof Kasselmann in Germany, saw it all begin to come together. The pair scored 68.087% in the CDI3* Grand Prix, before stepping it up again in the Grand Prix Special to score 69.234%. You can view the results from Hagen CDI here.
Jess is now looking forward to her final Olympic qualifier in at Schafhofs Dressurfestival in Kronberg, Germany (20-23 June). “We’re super excited; it’s getting very close now. We’re very busy but determined and pushing forward!”
What’s in the show kit?
While abroad, Jess has quite a big ‘show kit’ that she takes with her to these world-class events.
“Again, Electro Paste® and Recovery-Aid Paste® are both supplements that I take to every single competition!” she says.
“They’re just great to have on hand to give horses that extra boost of energy to make sure they are feeling well and recover well. All of Cennin’s normal Ranvet supplements always come to competitions with us as well. We want to try and keep the competitions the same as what we do at home, so there’s not too much change for the horse.
“These Ranvet products are in my show kit alongside several other super products from all my other team sponsors, including shampoos, plaiting and grooming products, special pieces of jewellery, mine and Cennin’s outfits from head to toe, and all of my other recovery products, from massage for the horse, to ice boots.”
Jess says another important part of her kit is of course also her team. “My coach, Annemieke Vincourt-Krom, my mum Kate, and my support team… they all have to count as part of my kit, as they come to every single one of these competitions to support me.”
This article was written in conjunction with Ranvet. Click here to find out more about their range of equine products.
