Deela Mae Retired from Sport, Mathilde Hannell Focuses on Business Degree

Wed, 03/13/2019 - 20:21
Sweden
Mathilde Hannell and Deela Mae at the 2016 European Under 25 Championships :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Mathilde Hannell's Under 25 Grand Prix Deela Mae has gone into full retirement. In May 2018 it was already announced that the mare's sport career would be shifted a few gears back. On 13 March 2019 the owner announced her full retirement.

Deela Mae is a 20-year old Westfalian mare by De Niro out of La Be (by Landino). She is bred by Sabine Steinkuhl and owned by Patrik Hannell.

The mare began her show career in Germany as a 4-year old under Peter Strässer, who took her up to Grand Prix level. She moved to Sweden in 2011 as Caroline Bonde Sandgaard's new ride. They were 7th at the 2011 Swedish Championships, ninth at the 2012 Nationals, and won silver at the 2013 Nordic Baltic Championships.

In 2014 the Hannell family purchased Deela Mae as a schoolmaster for Mathilde.  Mathilde and Deela Mae represented Sweden at the 2016 and 2017 European Under 25 Championships. They scored the silver medal at the 2017 Swedish Under 25 Championships.

In May 2018 Hannell already announced the mare was retired from an international sport career and would be put in foal, but she did not conceive. Deela Mae will now enjoy some light work and daily turnout in the field at Hannell's Lynga Gård just outside Falkenberg, Sweden.

"We will continue trying (to put her in foal), Mathilde told Eurodressage. "s of now, Belissimo is our first choice for Deela."

Mathilde has not competed internationally since the 2017 European Under 25 Championships in Lamprechtshausen in September 2017 on Deela Mae. She has put her riding career on the back burner to finish her college studies.

"I am graduating from business school in June and will dedicate a few years to my career," said Hannell. "After that, I will definitely be back in the saddle. Hopefully me and Deela’s foal can make a good match when the time has come."

Photo © Astrid Appels

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Deela Mae
Hannell's Deela Mae Winds Down Competition Career and Starts Breeding
Scores: 2017 European Under 25 Championships
Scores: 2017 Swedish Dressage Championships
Belgian and Swedish Riders for 2016 European Under 25 Championships Announced