German Grand Prix horse Hinnerk TSF has been sold to French rider Julie Pellerin. The 11-year old Trakehner gelding will help Pellerin to make the transition from young riders level to the international Grand Prix scene. Hinnerk TSF is by Buddenbrock out of Hilka (by Ravel) and is bred by Eckhardt Lehmann.
Owned by German team trainer Holger Schmezer, the chestnut initially made his mark in the show ring under Carola Koppelmann and competed under her in the 2005 Bundeschampionate Finals. Koppelmann trained the gelding up to Grand Prix level and then lost the ride. Hubertus Schmidt took over and competed the horse at international Grand Prix level.
This year Schmidt and Hinnerk TSF were victories in Braunschweig and Hagen. The gelding caught the interest of Pellerin and her trainers Carlos and Isabelle Pinto in Germany this year.
"Through personal contacts we went to try Hinnerk and he is incredibly trained and easy to learn the Grand Prix with," Isabelle Pinto told Eurodressage. "Schmidt is such a good trainer and rider who does not make the horses strong. This is very important for riders who begin at Grand Prix level. They need to have a horse that will not pull the entire test and that they can enjoy riding."
The Pinto's have been based at Pellerin's stable La Berangerie in Loiret, France, for the past thirteen years. Pellerin was convinced by Hinnerk's quality of training and his nice character. It is her goal to compete at international Grand Prix shows next year. "She will now take her time to get to know him and to train the Grand Prix," said Pinto. "It's a big step for a young rider."
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Photo © Astrid Appels
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