Barbara Clément Klinger Sells Dirbini to Karen Tebar

Dressage

France

French Grand Prix rider Barbara Clement Klinger has sold her number one Grand Prix horse Dirbini to country mate Karen Tebar.

Dirbini is an 11-year old Dutch warmblood mare by Dimaggio out of Pirbine (by Rubinstein), bred by M. Boeve in The Netherlands.

Clément Klinger discovered Dirbini five years ago in the stables of Frank Portejoie in France.

Clément Klinger and Dirbini made their international Grand Prix show debut at the CDI Le Mans in October 2017 and had an active first season in 2018 with starts at the CDI Compiegne, CDIO Rotterdam, and CDI's in Deauville, Saumur and Le Mans.

The pair was submitted tot he JO/JEM Olympic hopeful squad in 2017

Barbara has admitted that conducting high performance dressage at top level entails a big financial strain which she can not carry at the moment.

"Life is made of choices," Clément Klinger stated. "A few months ago I had to make one of the most difficult in my sportive career and personal life. Currently my financial situation does not allow me to reach my goals of truly achieving top level on short term. The building of our stables ten years ago, the upkeep of four sport horses (and a retired Ciska) that I own, as finding a maecenas or sponsors who entrust horses or give money, is very difficult in our discipline. This has driven me to the very hard reality that I have to make a big sacrifice if I want to continue the path I had hoped to walk with Dirbini. It is not my time yet."

Barbara has decided to sell Dirbini to country mate Karen Tebar whom she considers one her "idols".

"Karen Tebar has accepted to continue my dream, which is now our dream. Aside from being a big athlete, she also loves her horses with all her heart, like me," said Barbara. "I'm very proud that my mare stays French."