Orchard Freedom
Wester Aikema’S Norbert / Cocky Dundas / Lisvane Pegasus
Orchard Freedom is the pony whom I have had the greatest competitional experiences with. I got him on April 26 2008, and he was really bought in show jumping perspective. I also used him for that until the end of October 2009 where I decided to try learn him dressage. Free was, frankly, horrible in dressage; earlier that year we sat him for sale because I wanted to focus on riding eventing, and we simply did not believe he could ever do a proper dressage.
But you have an opinion till you get a new, right? I couldn’t bear selling him, so I’d rather give up my winter show jumping season in order to dedicate my time a hundred percent to his dressage. Everyone stood watching on the side line, and no one believed their own eyes as they followed his development.
This picture is from the national team training in the end of November 2009. Not even I expected a such result from him – and not at all that fast! Lars (national team trainer) was extremely impressed by Free, and fell in love with him immediately. And he was not the only one. Free took everyone with storm as he showed a courage and talent on the national team trainings in the spring 2010 that probably have never been seen on a Danish pony eventing team before. He was astonishing with no equal.
Here we have a picture from his second time in cross country – in his life! Furthermore, he was just about to turn 15 years. Two girls on the same training team as me and Free (I had all three ponies with me for this week in Sweden) complainted that they were on team with a pony that meritated. My trainer, Lars, got very, very mad – and after that lesson they certainly understood how unexperienced Free was as an eventing pony … though he jumped every single fence I asked him to force.
Faster than I could realise what was going on, we were in the middle of the season with a pony that has gone clear in all his qualifications, going the direct route to the top: CNCP90, CNCP90, CNCP1*, CNCP1*, CNCP2*. 5th competition was in the end of May taking place in Dagstorp, and it was our first two star together. My second after all. I felt stone sure. We would nail this competition. And, well, there’s not many surprices with Free (he’s just so uncomplicated – what a man!), so of course he went clear and got qualified for the European Pony Championships! Oh, and may I just add that he beat Micha at his first CNCP1* taking place in Gärds. With two clear rounds he came in 3rd, while Micha was aaaaall the way down on a 5th position 
Until two-three days before departure – it was still unsure whether if I was or was not selected for the European Championships. No one could believe that a pony could just burst into the very top of eventing like he did. How could a pony with just 6 competitions (we took one extra CNCP* after Dagstorp) in his backpack of experience ever be able to compete successfully at the Championships in England – which everyone knew would be the hardest European Ch. in pony history? Well. Lars believed we could. I believed it. My sponsors, family and a small amount of friends believed it too.
And thank God we kept on believing.
Those who were still not convinced that he was among the elite of eventing must – somewhere inside them – have had to admit that he certainly was. With an incredible and very convincing, determined clear round in both cross country and show jumping, we ended as number 16 in the ultimate. Best Danish result ever made at the European Pony Championships, eventing, through the past 25+ years. And somehow I just believe he will stand alone on that pedestal of honor in quite a long time. There’s just no one like him. No one.
Free is now sold to Ida Johansson from Sweden. They have only been together since April 1 2011, yet they have already made it clear that they are here to stay. Not only did they make it to the Swedish National Team, pony eventing, they were also clear in their 1.20 m debut in show jumping. They have made nothing but great results since their very first competition together, and I am certain they will continue like that. So beware, folks, those guys are not going to stop provisionally.
