German gold medal winning pony team rider Sophie Kampmann got quite a special birthday present this year: the 12-year old Dutch Young Riders team horse Urchin B.
The Kampmann family acquired the liver chestnut gelding (by Jazz x Vincent) at the 2013 Equine Elite auction in Weert, The Netherlands, on 25 October 2013. Aboard the German Riding pony stallion Voyager, Sophie Kampmann was member of the gold medal winning German team at the 2013 European Pony Championships in Arezzo, Italy.
Urchin B was owned by the Van Lanen family. The tall gelding was originally trained to small tour level by Alex van Silfhout and in 2009 Michelle van Lanen took over the ride. The new pair won bronze at the 2010 Dutch Young Riders Championships. Michelle was member of the bronze medal winning Dutch team at the 2011 and 2012 European Young Riders Championships and she rode her last year at Young Riders' level in 2012.
In 2013 Van Lanen made the transition to senior level small tour but only competed at one international event, the CDI Drachten in January 2013.
Van Lanen told Eurodressage she is now "training hard" but has no horse "for competitions at the moment, but that will come soon." Michelle was not willing to name the horse(s) she is riding right now.
Sophie Kampmann, on the hand, has secured a smooth transition to junior riders level for herself. Her family acquired the experienced youth riders' horse Roman Nature (by Rohdiamant) last year, which she has already successfully campaigned at international shows in 2013.
Photo courtesy Equine Elite
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Urchin B
Cupido, Price Highlight of the 2013 Equine Elite Auction
Scores: 2012 Dutch Dressage Championships
Scores: 2012 European Junior and Young Riders Championships