Jessica von Bredow-Werndl retired her former number one ride Unee BB from sport in a special retirement ceremony at the 2018 CDI Frankfurt on Saturday 15 December 2018.
The 17-year old KWPN stallion Unee BB (by Gribaldi out of Ilarichte (by Dageraad)) is owned by retired Swiss dressage judge Beatrice Burchler-Keller.
The black stallion was initially trained and competed up to small tour level by German based Swiss rider Jasmine Sanche-Burger. The horse moved to Switzerland in 2011 to continue its Grand Prix level training with Swiss Birgit Wientzek-Plage. In 2012 Unee BB moved to Jessica Werndl's yard in Aubenhausen, Germany. The duo shone especially in the Kurs to Music. They rode the World Cup Finals in Lyon in 2014 (7th), in Las Vegas in 2015 (3rd), in Gothenburg in 2016 (3rd) and in Paris in 2018 (3rd). They also were members of the silver medal winning German team at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen and placed 7th individually.
In the retirement ceremony, Jessica and Unee BB rode a freestyle one more time with music supported by the piano tunes of pianist Semih Ersoy. Then she dismounted, the horse received a special cooler and she spoke to the audience. Then she walked the horse out of the arena.
"Until now he was my biggest teacher, my best friend and my trusty companion," said the 32-year old Jessica, fighting her tears. "Together we successfully made the big step into international top sport. I can't thank Unee enough."
Photos © LL-foto
Related Links
Unee BB to Be Retired from Competition Sport
Eurodressage Photo Database: Unee BB
Unee Moves Again: From Switzerland Back to Germany
Unee to Birgit Wientzek-Plage
Jessica vn Bredow-Werndl Promoted to German A-Team
Photo Report: Von Bredow Rules the Roost at 2014 CDI-W Kaposvar
Von Bredow-Werndl and Carrascosa Collect the Trophies at 2017 CDI Oldenburg
