Danish former Intermediaire I rider and I-judge Jytte Lemkow has become the recipient of the 2014 Lis Hartel Memorial Trophy, which was handed to her at the 2014 Danish Dressage Championships in Broholm on 8 June. The 71-year old Lemkow, who at age 37 is still to date the youngest judge to judge at an Olympic Games (1980 Moscow) is the author of "Dressage with Kyra: The Kyra Kyrklund Training Method" and a journalist for Ridehesten. She has "helped raise awareness for classical dressage. Jytte Lemkow is one of the pioneers in disseminating correct dressage, both nationally and internationally."
Belgian Grand Prix team rider Julie de Deken has become engaged to her long-time boyfriend Alexander Leytens on 22 May 2014. Alexander, who is a diamond dealer by profession, proposed to her under a tree on his parents' property near Antwerp, Belgium, one day before the 2014 CDI Kapellen. The engagement ring is an absolute stunner with its clean cut yellow diamond. Congratulations to the couple !!
Young American Grand Prix rider Noel Williams, who was the 2005 North American Junior Riders Champion, has taken up the job of working student at Mette Rosencrantz' yard in California. Congrats.
Oldenburg breeder Hans Francksen passed away at age 89 on 23 May 2014. Based in Butjadingen, Francksen claimed breeder's fame for producing licensed stallions Rohdiamant and Royal Diamond.
German horse dealer and Grand Prix rider Katrin Bettenworth has made her TV debut in the German reality tv show "Bauer Sucht Frau" (Farmer seeks wife) on RTL. Via this dating show, the 49-year old Bettenworth hopes to find a female partner/companion for life. Check her profile for the tv-show here.
New couple alert !! Estonian Grand Prix rider Grete Barake has relocated from Germany to Nice, France, to set up shop with her new partner, French Grand Prix rider Alexandre Ayache.
German FEI steward Liane Wallmeier (née Weitkamp) died unexpectedly on 21 May 2014. Wallmeier was only 63 years old and worked the CDI Hagen just one month ago. Liane was known for her striking outfits at shows. She was ecstatic that her husband Hansi recovered well after a period of sickness. Liane's funeral took place in Ennigerloh on 26 May.
Ridehesten reported that Norwegian Grand Prix rider Karen Helene Gjerde acquired the 8-year old Danish warmblood Sandbæks Don-Aron (by Don Schufro x Royal Diamond) which was previously trained and competed by Pernille Ørum.The 1.80m standing chestnut gelding has been trained to Grand Prix level by Orum, who discovered him as a 4-year old.
The prestigious 2016 World University Equestrian Championship, last time held in Aachen and this year taking place in Abu Dhabi in November, has been allocated to Flyinge, the Swedish national state stud. One hundred students, around fifty horses and sixty volunteers will all come to Flyinge, 15km from Lund, to take part in the World Championships in horseback riding for students.
