Coinciding with the untimely passing of her Grand Prix horse Limbo, Mary Hanna has parted from her second Grand Prix horse Pretender . The Westfalian gelding Pretender has been sold to Sandra Jung-Walter from Austria.
Pretender (by Playmate xx x Donnersberg) was being trained and competed by Hubertus Schmidt and has been for sale for a while. Performance Sales International (PSI) who discovered Pretender as a youngster and sold him through the Auction, has been the mediator in the sale of Pretender.
"The sale happened the week Limbo was ill," Mary Hanna said. "Sandra Jung is a good rider, who lives in Germany, and trains with Bimbo Peilicke. I have been reassured that "Teddy" (Pretender) has a very good home, that Sandra looks after her horses really well, and that Teddy will have a home for life. Already he has endeared himself to the family, which he is very good at, as he has a wonderful friendly personality, and loves children. Teddy just makes sure every one loves him. He has a real personality."
With the passing of Limbo, Hanna felt really sad about Pretender being sold. However, it had to be as Pretender's co-owner Justice Ken Marks recently turned 80 and is concerned about tidying up his affairs. "Over the years Justice Ken Marks has been a great support to me, and the sport in general," Hanna said. "We have had six horses together, all of which have gone to Grand Prix."
Fortunately, Hanna has found a replacement for Pretender at P.S.I. in Hagen, Germany. There, Rob Hanna and Mary purchased Port Said, an 8-year old Prix St Georges horse by Phoenix x Brentano II. Port Said is training Prix St Georges and showing talent for piaffe and passage.
Despite having a new up and coming FEI horse, Hanna still feel much at loss. "One minute two Grand Prix horses, and the next none. It's going to be very hard to replace Limbo. He was such a steadfast, and trustworthy partner."
But Hanna is looking positively towards the future and is picking herself up again. "I have to keep going with the new horse, and also my lovely youngsters; two 4 year olds, one by Jazz, and one by Houston. We are off to a young horse competition this weekend, so it's back to the beginning again."
Text and photos © Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
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Mary Hanna Loses Her Top Horse Limbo