Madeleine Witte-Vrees is pregnant. The Dutch Grand Prix rider is due to give birth at the end of april and has quit riding horses. At the 2008 Global Dressage Forum, Witte's licensed stallion Wynton was shown by Emmelie Scholtens (who is dating Nico Witte's son Jeroen). Wynton will be shown in the KNHS Stallion Competition by Edward Gal, while Madeleine's Vontango B will be shown by Hans Peter Minderhoud.
The renowned Dutch breeder Henk Spekenbrink has passed away at age 66. Based at brood farm De Els, Spekenbrink bred licensed stallions Rafurstinels and double world young dressage horse champion Rubels. Spekenbrink branded his horses either with the Oldenburg or KWPN verband. His champion mares includes Lucky, Patricia and Rozamunde.
Esben Möller of Blue Hors Stud confirmed that there is not yet a name for his newest stallion, the Belissimo M x Weltmeyer colt, which sold for the top price of 310,000 euro to Blue Hors and Paul Schockemohle. Breeders still have to be patient to find out the name.
Anky van Grunsven's newest acquisition, the Danish warmblood gelding Pari Lani, is in training with Swedish Patrik Kittel. The dark bay gelding is being schooled by Kittel who will compete Pari Lani for the first time, most likely this month.
Who's wearing the pants in this couple? Sebastian Heinze and Helen Langehanenberg got married on 22 August 2008 and rebaptised their dressage stable from "Dressage and Training Stable Heinze-Langenhanenberg" to "Dressage and Training Stable Helen and Sebastian Langehanenberg". A belated congratulations to the bride and groom. The couple is based near Warendorf, Germany, where they have about 25 horses in training.
Jessica Süss, winner of the bronze medal with Diamantenbörse at 2008 World Young Dressage Horse Championships in Verden, Germany, has found a new employer. Süss' contract with Luttgen's stable was ended quickly after Verden and the young girl had to find a new employer. Her period at the Luttgen's were an outstanding stepping stone to find a position at a solid professional stable. Süss has now signed a contract with Hengststation Schurf on November 12, 2008 and is starting December 1, 2008. Suss's replacement at Luttgen's Gut Mödrath isYvonne Brüning.
On September 15, 2008, the Canadian equestrian community tragically lost one of its top small tour horses, Wedding Surprise (by World Cup III x Imperator). “Weddy,” as he was affectionately known around the barn, died suddenly only a short time after performing brilliantly at the Saugerties International Dressage Show in New York State. Weddy was the principal mount of Linda Robert from Terrebonne, Quebec. The two became a team three years ago, following the death of Rose Barolet, Wedding Surprise’s owner.
Oh my god, it has become a hype: Piano freestyles! The piano music of trendsetter Imke Schellekens and epigones Anky van Grunsven and Courtney King is now being copied more than Louis Vuitton bags. Upcoming Dutch Young Rider Femke Beljon has announced that she's having a new freestyle made now that she has become a Dutch A-team Young Rider. Beljon has commissioned pianist Jan Vayneto compose the piano music for her kur. The kur will be premiered at the 2009 CDI Zwolle.
The 6-year old Hanoverian licensed stallion Lauries As (by Londonderry x Pik Bube I) has arrived in Australia. Queensland based Remi Stud purchased the black stallion at the 2008 Verden April Elite Auction for 110,000 euro. Stud principal Cheryl O'Brien told Cyberhorse.net.au that they "are excited about finally having him here with us and feel that "Ace" has everything to offer the Australian breeder looking to infuse their stud's bloodlines with the very highly respected horses that Lauries As represents." After his purchase in April, Lauries As remained in Germany to be trained and campaigned by Jörn Kubelke. The black stallion will join Hanoverian sire Fisherman's Friend (by Fabriano x Pik Solo) for Remi Stud's breeding programme.