Readers of the German equestrian magazine Reiter Revue voted for Sterntaler Unicef to become the German "Horse of the Year." His rider Matthias Alexander Rath and Sterntaler Unicef received the HOY blanket at the 2010 CDIO Aachen today Friday 16 July 2010.
The readers of the Reiter Revue International have been electing their “Horse of the Year” for 26 years to horses which have demonstrated outstanding performances and have really earned a distinction. Tribute is paid to the horse every year in the big stadium during the CHIO week.
Sterntaler has been reaching for the stars. The readers of the Reiter Revue International are now acknowledging his success in the dressage arena by voting him as “Horse of the Year”. Matthias Alexander Rath, who was visibly moved during the award ceremony, was of course also present and he galloped at full speed along the last straight stretch towards the exit.
2009 was Sterntaler’s year of success. Together with his 24-year-old rider Rath from Kronberg (Hessen), he won the freestyle competition at the German Championships, danced to victory in Saumur and in Wiesbaden despite strong competition and he triumphed at the Finals of the Meggle Champions Tour in Dortmund. However, the climax of his season was being nominated to compete for the dressage team at the European Championships, where the Sion son secured the bronze medal for the German team after putting in the best German performance.
“Sterni”, as Matthias Alexander Rath fondly calls him, “hasn’t finished a competition on less than 70 percent. 2009 was his best season so far." Although Sterntaler is considered to be introvert and rather shy, the 15-year-old bay Oldenburger always tries to do his best. He has catapulted the young economics student to the top and the Germans are now placing great hope in him that this run of success continues at the World Equestrian Games.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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