Horses.nl reported that Richelle Ter Haak's 16-year old top horse Lest Best has humanely been put down following an accident in the paddock. The dark bay stallion (by Damiro x Ghill Manor x Pascal) broke his leg while being turned out.
X-rays were taken but the horse could not be saved. Lest Best was trained to Prix St Georges level by Marlon van Wissen. Then owner Nathalie van Eijkeren rode him. He was briefly stabled at Rien van der Schaft's barn before Richelle ter Haak took over the ride. In 2009 Ter Haak and Lest Best were unbeatable in The Netherlands at small tour level. The combination made the transition to Grand Prix in Germany and was supposed to compete at that level in Holland in 2010.
The inaugural SUCCEED®/Wellington Classic Dressage USET Foundation Holiday Gala raised $20,853 for the U.S. Equestrian Team. The fundraiser was held during the Dec. 11-13 Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The event drew top riders from multiple equestrian disciplines, including Steffen Peters, Gina Miles, Kate Levy, Lynn Palm, Karen and David O'Connor, Monty Roberts and Chester Weber, who gave Santa (played by David O'Connor) a ride to the event in a horse-drawn carriage. Among attendeeswere Olympic event rider Darren Chiacchia, Bruce Duchossois, USDF president George Williams, DressageDaily's Mary Phelps, Margaret Duprey and John Walsh, president of the International Polo Club. Collecting the check on behalf of the USET Foundation were dressage riders Arlene "Tuny" Page and Kimberly Van Kampen.
The renowned Weser Ems Pony Licensing Champion stallion Hilkens Black Delight (by Branduardi M) sold to Valerie and Benoit Burban of brood farm Haras du Feulliard in France. The drop dead gorgeous black stallion was a hype in Germany when he got licensed. In 2008 he injured himself in a carriage driving incident, but the stallion has recovered from this. Haras du Feulliard are also standing the Westfalian stallion Cockpit (by Cantus) and the KWPN stallion Olivi (by Jazz x Aktion).
Danish European Championship team rider Sune Hansen and his longtime girlfried, Antiguan Grand Prix rider Emily Ward, got engaged while on holiday visiting Ward's family in Antigua. The young Danish team rider Hansen proposed on a boat one evening. The couple hasn't set a date yet but will most likely get married after the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
German Grand Prix rider Anabel Balkenhol had a quite a scare. Right after Christmas she fell ill with stomach problems but they worsened and she had to be admitted to the hospital right before New Year's Eve to undergo surgery to her abdomen. Anabel has to stay in the hospital a few more days and will not be able to ride for two months. We wish her a speedy recovery!
Ridehesten.com reported that Michael Sogaard's 14-year old Grand Prix horse Feisal (by Fernando x Lavallo) has been sold to the United States. Thomas Walker, who is based in Nipomo, CA, has acquired the grey Danish warmblood gelding and will make his debut at Grand Prix level with him in the 2010 Brentina Cup for young Grand Prix riders. Walker has recently trained with Klaus Balkenhol in Germany for one month.
The 2009 Oldenburg champion and reserve champion of the licensing have beenchristianed with a name. The Flemmingh x Inselfurst champion, which is owned by Doug and Louise Leatherdale, has been named "Fairbanks". The reserve champion by Danone I x Welt Hit II, owned by Dressage Training Centre Lodbergen, is now called Dante Weltissimo. Blue Hors' third placed premium stallion by Hotline x Florestan is called Hot Spot.
On 1 January 2010, Mary Phelps' website Horsesdaily.com celebrated its 13th anniversary. Together with Horsesdaily.com, the German Horseweb and Dutch Hoefnet, Eurodressage (then called Junior-riders.com) were the pioneering equestrian news websites on the internet. We were online before even most people had internet. Go figure. Much has changed in those 13 years!
Happy New Year everyone!