Former Danish team rider Fie Christine Skarsoe has left Tanja Kayser's "A Bis Grand Prix" stables to start her own business, First Choice Stables, in Luxembourg. Skarsoe has also obtained the ride on one of Denmark's most decorated young mares, Fabrix Miss Esandri.
"I have always dreamt of owning my own stables and now after 10 great years working abroad, the time has arrived," Skarsoe told Eurodressage. "As I am now independent, I have the possibility to ride for breeders, stud farms or private persons, train their horses for competitions or to assist with sales."
Skarsoe left Denmark to work for Valerie Hüttner at Gestut Wiesenhof. Aboard Wiesenhof's licensed stallion Munchhausen, Fie captured a spot on the Danish Grand Prix team and competed at the 2005 European Dressage Championships. In November 2006, Skarsoe moved to Luxembourg to be based at Kayser's barn.
"I had four wonderful years and a fantastic season with the Kayser family," she said.
Skarsoe's First Choice Stables, which name is based on her initials, is a small high performance barn with 21 stalls. "I do not want it to be too big to allow my staff and I more timeto devote to the training of the horses," Fie explained. "Another great passion of mine is to
train competition riders so that is how my future looks."
Skarsoe's assistent rider Anne Kirkegaard joined her at the new facility.
"She is a great help with training the horses.
It is very important to have a super team and I can clearly say that I am
fortunate to work with such a team. I have wonderful horses and good customers,
so the next chapter in my life can begin."
Skarsoe recently showed Munchhausen, the horse which brought her the most success in her career so far, at the 2010 Trakehner Stallion Licensing. As the dark bay licensed stallion will be retired soon, Mrs Hüttner asked Fie to ride him one last time at the Gala Evening in Neumunster.
"It was one of the greatest experiences
in my career," Fie admitted. "The complete Holstenhalle gave Münchi and I a standing ovation.
He danced one last time in front of so many people, it was fantastic! A
thousand thanks to Frau Hüttner for this unforgettable experience."
It has always been one of Fie's goals to ride a high quality Danish warmblood horse and this opportunity seemed to have come along. Danish breeders Lene and Claus Brix have given Skarsoe the ride on the rising 5-year old Fabrix Miss Esandri (by Sandro King x Quilted xx). The dark bay mare was the 2009 Danish Mare of the Year and the 2-year old Danish Mare Champion in 2008.
Related Links
Fie Skarsoe to Leave Gestut Wiesenhof
Fabrix Miss Ésandri, 2009 Danish Warmblood Mare Champion