American breeding and stallion station Hilltop Farm has acquired Douglas S as 2010 World Equestrian Games hopeful mount for their resident trainer and rider Christopher Hickey.
The 9-year old gelding was discovered at Ulla Salzgeber's stable, where Hickey trains regularly.
Douglas S is a Baden Wurttemberger bred gelding by Dr. Jackson x Walt Disney I. Since 2007 he was owned by Ulla Salzgeber's student Alexandra Sessler who competed him at Fourth Level in 2007 and Prix St Georges level in 2008.
Hickey is ecstatic about his new mount. "“He’s very forward going, elegant type who tries to do his job,” Hickey told U.S reporter Kent Braddick. He will spend the next several months getting to know the horse and plans to compete Intermediaire II and Grand Prix this fall.
“The sky’s the limit with him,” Hickey said. “I don’t want to make any claims or say anything to jinx things, but he was bought with the intention to become a (USA) Team horse.”
The 41-year old Hickey became the 2007 double Pan American Games gold medallist with the Dutch warmblood gelding Regent (by Flemmingh x Falco). This bay gelding has returned to his owner Brenna Kucinski to compete. Hickey has been the in-house trainer at Hilltop Farm since January 2007.
Photos copyrighted: Dill
Source: Dressage News
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