Swedish Grand Prix rider Nina Hofmann is pregnant with her first child. The rider announced the news on 11 December 2013 and is already due in January. Father to the baby is Nina's husband Torsten Küppers. "We are expecting our miracle in January so only a few weeks to go," said Nina. "It's very exciting and we are really happy!! That's why I haven't ridden so many competitions this fall."
The 6-year old Australian owned World Royal (by World of Dreams x Rubin Royal) has been sold to Germany. The black stallion recently won the 6-year old division at the 2013 Australian Young Horse Championships under Danielle Dierks. World Royal was bred in Germany by Britta Klatte and imported into Australia as a yearling.
Swedish FEI dresage rider Christina Pantzar has relocated to Vechta, Germany and is now an assistant trainer at the Ludwig Kathmann stallion station. Pantzar has been based in Germany for the past 13 years and previously worked at Hans Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen's, Alexandra Simons-De Ridder's and Markus Gribbe's yard. Christina has trained her own Freestyle (by Furst Piccolo x Freudentanzer) up to Inter I level.
Horses.nl reported that Dutch Grand Prix A-team rider Stephanie Peters has started a co-operation with St. Ludwig Horses. She now has a few horses at her yard and will regularly commute to the German dealers' yard where she will train some riders and horses.
German Junior Rider European kur silver medalist Anna Christina Abbelen has added a new horse to her collection. Last summer she acquired the 7-year old Baden Wurttemberger bred mare First Lady (by Florencio x Donnerhall x Weltmeister). In November Abbelen competed the black mare at M and S-level and were invited to participate in the junior riders training camp in Warendorf.
Former Dutch young riders team member Angela Krooswijk also has a new horse. She recently acquired the 3-year old Dutch warmblood mare Fundine (by Negro x Quattro B). Her more experienced Young Riders team horse Flash (by Fidermark) she is preparing for the Under 25 division.
British Grand Prix rider Hannah Biggs has taken the ride on the 4-year British bred Hanoverian Half Moon Drambuie, a full sister to British team horse Half Moon Delphi. Drambuie is bred and owned by Jon and Julie Deverill.
The chestnut pony stallion Huckleberry Finn HJ (by Hot Cream) was named champion of the 2013 Weser Ems Riding Pony licensing in Vechta.
Anna Kasprzak also added a new horse to her string. She has acquired the 4-year old black mare Sunshine Star (by San Amour x Damon Hill). "She is very co-operative and has three really good gaits,” said Kasprzak. "Even though she is only four years old, she already accepts every challenge you give her."
The 27-year old Canadian FEI rider Leah Wilson got engaged to Mark Wilkins on 3 November 2013.
DIXIT
In one of the last interviews with Georg Wahl, the late legendary dressage trainer was asked what classical dressage is. He replied, "it's like classical music: soft, smooth, harmonious, beautiful. Unfortunately today many riders ride rather like "Anton in Tyrol."