The limitless hyping of Totilas in the German press was bound to turn against them. The German radio station HR3 has made a parody on the black stallion which is compared to an equine Superman saving Paul Schockemohle from yet another fire at his barn and more. The minute by minute account of Totilas' actions ridicule how each step by Totilas is made into world breaking news... at least.. in Germany. Hear the audio clips here.
On Monday morning 16 May 2011 Swedish team rider Minna Telde gave birth to a baby boy at 8h30 AM. Both mom and son are doing well and so far the boy has been nicknamed Pyret. The father of Minna's baby is Johan Ulander, a Finnish native who is a property developer in Dubai and CEO of Al Madina Property Group in the UAE. Ulander has a wife and three children living in France.
Last week one of Canada's Pan Am hopefuls, Trakehner Key West, passed away. Key West, who was purchased in Neumunster as a three-year-old by the Jager and Demandt families, was euthanized at the University of Guelph after developing a painful and untreatable compression of the spinal cord. Key West, with Tom Dvorak in the saddle, just returned from a tremendous show season in Wellington, Florida. Together, in the CDI 3*, they cleaned up, winning the Prix St. Georges test with over 50 other entries. Next were the Canadian trials for the Pan Am Games. In 2010 Key West was part of the Canadian Young Rider Silver Medal Team with Amy Jager. Not only was he a fantastic athlete but also a kind soul who captured the hearts of all who knew him. Key West was very much loved by his trainers, owners, grooms and vets.
Vechta auction team rider Heiko Klausing got married to Katrin Oetken. The couple celebrated at Heiko's parental home in Diepholz, Germany, where the indoor school was turned int a party place. Three hundred guest attended the wedding, including Uwe Heckmann, Wilhelm Weerda, and Albert Sprehe. Heike achieved the Golden Rider Badge and competes successful with young horses such as Vechta auction price highlight Statesman OLD. Oetken is also a dressage rider up to S-level and is Weser Ems regional champion.
Photo © Tammo Ernst
Charlotte Haid-Bondergaard made her first official show debut aboard Matthias Rath's former Grand Prix horse Triviant (by Olivi x Saluut). Haid competed the bay Dutch warmblood at the national shows held at Björbäcks Ryttarförening in Sweden and scored 69.737% in the Intermediaire II and 63.617% in the Grand Prix. The pair was also entired for the national Grand Prix at the CDI Copenhagen but unfortunately retired in that class. The first steps are always the hardest!
Will Silvia Ikle ever make a come back with Salieri CH? That is the question! The wonderful Swiss bred dressage bred has been injured for almost two years and despite many announcements of his return, he has not yet made a come back. Last week the enthusiastic 62-year old Ikle was interviewed by a Swiss magazine and once again stated that "one more time I want to try to make a come back with Salieri to top sport level." In the same breath she also admittedthat the 17-year old Salieri is currently in Germany recovering from injury.
Cyberhorse.net.au reported that Equestrian Victoria and Dressage Victoria have appointed a new Event Director for the Saddleworld Dressage Festival and PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars. Bryony Giusti will take over duties from current Director Caroline Coleby.
U.S. youth riders coach Jeremy Steinberg reported that Kim von Hopffgarten passed away on Tuesday 24 May 2011. She was the widow of respected dressage trainer Dietrich von Hopffgarten.
British FEI rider Gemma Green wed her long-time partner Nathan Appleton, a remedial farrier by profession, on Saturday 7 May 2011 at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
French team pony Dragon Heart is back in France and will be ridden and competed by Morgane Euriat in the future.
Patrik Kittel lost his retired Grand Prix horse Dallmayr Promodo following a colic attack. "It was a difficult decision to make this week to farewell one of my Very Important Pensioners Dallmayr. After surviving colic surgery, we hoped for the best but did not have luck on our side and the decision had to be made during the early hours of the morning (27 May 2011) to put Dally to sleep," Kittel reported. The pair had its most successful season together in 2006 scoring wellat the CDIO Rotterdam and CDI Falsterbo. Dallmayr was a 15-year old Westfalian by Dimension x Bartok.
