Anabel Balkenhol's career making Grand Prix horse Dablino has passed away four months ago, on 27 February 2019. He was 19 years old.
It was a second blow for Anabel Balkenhol in a short period of time. In April Anabel also lost the ride on her number one Grand Prix horse Heuberger. The horse's owners, the Erdsiek family, decided to relocate the Trakehner stallion to Helgstrand in Denmark to be sold.
Her career making horse, Dablino, was by De Niro x Wanderbusch II and bred by Weert-Arnold Sweers
The horse made its first claim to fame under Holga Finken at the 2006 World Young Horse Championships, after which the sensitive chestnut became Anabel Balkenhol's ride. They won the 2009 German Developing Grand Prix Horse Championships and won the 25th Otto Lörke prize.
The pair went on to represent Germany and won team bronze at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and they rode as individuals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
They consistently competed at international Grand Prix level from 2009 through 2017.
In October 2017 Balkenhol hinted at the end of Dablino's sport career but kept the door open to one or two more shows. However, this never happened and in October 2018 Balkenhol announced that Dablino was retired from competition sport.
He spent his retirement in the field with a companion and on 27 February 2019 he passed away suddenly in the pasture.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Dablino
Dablino Retired from Sport
Photo Report: Balkenhol and Dablino Capture 2015 CDI Frankfurt Grand Prix Trophy
Balkenhol to Focus on Heuberger, Dablino Has Proven it All
Balkenhol and Dablino Withdraw from German Team for 2013 European Championships
Anabel Balkenhol and Dablino Find Blue in Verden at First Show Since WEG
De Niro Lookalikes Dominate 2010 CDI Fritzens and Conquer International Dressage Scene
Anabel Balkenhol's Dablino Makes Winning Come Back at 2012 CDN Aachen
Balkenhol's Dablino Wins 2009 Otto Lörke Prize
FBW Dejavu and Dablino Complete the Top Five