What's Happening: May 2013 - Part 1

Tue, 05/07/2013 - 10:36
What's Happening in the Dressage World?

Spanish Grand Prix rider Jordi Domingo and his long-time Swedish girlfriend Linda Swinda have become the proud parents of a baby boy. Their child has been named Jayson

and is already acquainted with the horse world as he accompanied his parents at the recent CDN Can Alzina. Congratulations.
Photo © Barbara Schnell

Dutch FEI pony rider Rachell Fokker sustained a complicated fracture of her leg when she fell off her rearing pony  Linksburry Distinction (by Small x Land Maytino). The pony reared during the prize giving and flipped over on Fokker. The rider was transported to the hospital and operated on.

The renowned New Forest Pony licensed stallion Shining Star Aristo has passed away at age 31. The bay pony stallion (by Noordererf Chap x Furzey Lodge Golden Wonder) was one of the most successful Belgian pony stallion competing at international show jumping level. Under Niek Bartolomeus the stallion won team bronze and became individually fourth at the European Pony Championships in Rome, Italy.  The past 25 years Aristo was owned by Belgian stallion owner Joris de Brabander.

The 20-year old Thoroughbred stallion Wilawander xx has passed away on 30 April 2013. The stallion, which was enjoying his retirement at Carolyn de Roo's stable the past five years, died in the field. The chestnut stallion (by Nashwan xx x Danzig xx) started his career on the race track and was later retrained as a dressage horse. The stallion has a few dressage offspring competing at small tour level.

Troubles in Australian EA board paradise continue: Equestrian Australia (EA) confirmed on that Paul Biancardi has resigned from the EA Board on 16th April 2013. EA Chairman Dr. Warwick Vale said it was regretful that Mr Biancardi has stepped down and on behalf of the Board he thanked him for his service as Chairman and Director.

The Australian equestrian federation appointed former Rugby Team Manager Chris Webb as High Performance Manager (HPM). He will commence on 29 April 2013. With more than a decade experience in senior management roles within Rugby, including working for the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), NSW Waratahs and Western Australian Rugby Union, Mr Webb brings to the role significant expertise working at the elite end of the sport. Equestrian Australia Chairman Dr Warwick Vale said EA was fortunate to bring on board a sporting professional of Mr Webb’s calibre who can help drive the High Performance program to the next level.

Catherine Haddad's retired Grand Prix horse Maximus has passed away. The 19-year old Danish warmblood gelding (by May Sherif x Hojvangs Lukas) competed last in 2009. An injury sidelined him for a long time and in 2011 Haddad announced the horse's retirement. The duo's career highlights include being the alternates on the U.S. team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen and a 7th place at the 2007 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

Much turmoil is still going on in the German Westfalian society. In a special board meeting five board members resigned, including Chairman Karl-Hubertus Freiherr von Beverförde, following a vote of non-confidence in vice president Günther Voss. The latter resigned after received 66 votes against him and only 40 in favour. The board currently still consists of Lutz Ahlswede, Ralf Johanson and Egbart Bispinghof. Five new board members need to be found.

Because of a recurring injury the KWPN licensed stallion Valdez (by Houston x Jazz) has been retired from sport and will only stand at stud. The dark bay stallion was trained to Prix St Georges level by Kirsten Beckers.

German dressage rider Christian Flamm is relocating once again. The young rider, who became famous aboard Quaterback and Samba Hit I, used to work at the Neustadt/Dosse state stud, but then moved to Hoya. Now the professional has changed employers again and will be working at Zuchthof Bornmühle in Neubrandenburg. The facility is owned by the Budeus-Wiegert family, which breeds Oldenburg horses.