German Grand Prix rider Anja Plonzke is leaving her father's business and equestrian centre Gestut Tannenhof again to relocate in Munich as an independent rider and trainer. As of 1 October the 43-year old will be based at Maxhof in Baldham, Germany.
In 2006 Plonzke left Tannenhof already to start a new business with husband Roland Bauer at Gestut Rittsteig in Passau, but she returned in 2008 to become head manager at the famous stallion station.
With her focus shifting more to coaching and with trips to the United States taking place more regularly, Plonzke decided to take a new turn in her career and pass on the Tannenhof manager's job to the 33-year old Leif Hamberger.
"I'm looking forward to Munich," Plonzke told the German equestrian website Dressursport Deutschland. "There are three reasons for my decision. I have been going to Florida each year the past four years. First it was just 10 days, than five to six weeks. I teach, compete and sold a few horses there. It's so much fun working with the Americans and I want to develop that more. That is not possible when you are responsible for such a big stud farm as Tannenhof."
Plonzke has also been coaching more students and has received a few inquiries from riders in the Munich area. Thirdly her husband Roland is from Bavaria and would love to live there again.
Anja will be taking along just two horses: her Grand Prix horse Le Mont d'Or (by Landjuwel Gold x Wie Weltmeyer) and the 7-year old Oldenburg mare La Rouge (by Lucky Dance x Donnerhall).
Photo © Astrid Appels
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