Anabel Balkenhol has disclosed that the Trakehner stallion Heuberger has taken over the number one spot in the barn, while her rising 18-year old Dablino might only do a select number of shows in 2018 after recovering from a back injury.
In an interview with Dressursport Deutschland, Balkenhol spoke openly about the strength in her barn and her goals for the next show season. The 10-year old Trakehner stallion Heuberger (by Imperio x Michelangelo) competed his first season at international Grand Prix level and has now taken over the number one spot in the stable. The stallion showed in Hagen, Munich and Aachen this year. He has not been out since August.
"The past two months Heuberger has been breeding," Balkenhol explained. "After the first two covering, he got very hot and argumentative, but then he relaxed more and more. The final effect, I have to say, is that the breeding does him well. He's only been covering twice a week."
Balkenhol will compete him at the indoor shows this winter, kicking off with Oldenburg, Stuttgart and maybe Geneva.
The now 17-year old Dablino (by De Niro x Wanderbusch II) only did two CDI's in 2017: Hagen and Rotterdam. The gelding injured his back in Rotterdam in June and needed time to recover. Dablino has been Anabel's number one for years, taking her to the 2010 World Equestrian Games and 2012 Olympic Games in London. The always spooky chestnut has proven it all and is now taking a step aside, making room for the next generation. In 2018 he might only be shown at a select number of events.
"It was clear from the start for me that Dablino would get all the time he needs. He will tell me when he's ready to go again. He already feels very fit again, but he will no longer do a show this year. I don't want to put pressure on Dablino or myself."
Balkenhol also has the big powerhouse Crystal Friendship (by Fidertanz x De Vito) to ride. The 8-year old Hanoverian, owned by Brazilian Eduardo Bundyra in partnership with Balkenhol, is schooling the Grand Prix and Anabel is preparing him for the Louisdor Cup in Germany next year, the Developing Grand Prix horse circuit.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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