German young Grand Prix rider Sönke Rothenberger has taken up training with Anky van Grunsven. The 20-year old is studying at the Nijmeghen University for one year and has relocated his horses to Anky's yard in Erp, The Netherlands.
Dutch equestrian magazine De Hoefslag broke the news that the German based young riders' team member is now seeking tutelage in The Netherlands from Holland's most famous dressage rider Anky van Grunsven.
After spending a brief period on the international show jumping scene, the former European Pony champion returned to dressage action with the 7-year old Cosmo (by Van Gogh) in 2014 and earned team gold and individual test bronze at the 2014 European Young Riders Championships in Arezzo, Italy.
The Bad Homburg based Sönke took over the ride on his sister Sanneke's 16-year old Rhinelander gelding Favourit (by Fidermark x Worldchamp) less than a year ago when the chestnut gelding started to become unreliable and unruly in the piaffe for his lady rider. The tall Sönke, who makes his horse look rather small due to his long legs, is able to present a much more submissive Favourit and is briging the horse to new levels.
The pair made its senior Grand Prix debut at the CDI Donaueschingen in September 2014 and both made their mark on the World Cup circuit after scoring 71.920% at the CDI-W Odense in October. The duo has added the world cup qualifiers of Stuttgart, Stockholm, London and Amsterdam to its tally scoring above 70% in each test at each show.
"Since two weeks I have been training with Anky," Sönke told De Hoefslag. "At the moment I also live on Anky and Sjef's yard. The co-operation happened for practical reasons. I'm studying International Business Administration at the university and one part of the education is spending a mandatory year abroad. That is why I combine a year of studying at the Nijmeghen University with a year internship at Anky's and Sjef's."
Rothenberger and Favourit are B-team listed Grand Prix riders.
Source: De Hoefslag - Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
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Rothenberger and Cosmo in Command in Team Test at 2014 European Young Riders Championships
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Sönke Rothenberger Wins Individual Gold in Avenches