Golden Girl, one of the most successful FEI Dressage ponies in the world, has returned to Gestut Erlenhof, where her owners, the Rothenberger family, is based in Bad Homburg, Germany.
The 14-year old Westfalian bred palomino mare Golden Girl (by Don't Worry x Dancer) moved to the stables of Liselott Marie Linsenhoff in November 2014 to become a schoolmaster.
Golden Girl was originally bought for 70,000 euro at the 2005 Westfalian elite auction by Dutch Adri Gordijn, father to Gonnelien Rothenberger-Gordijn. She became the FEI pony for Adri's grandchild and Gonnelien's cousin Antoinette te Riele, who won individual and Kur gold at the 2009 European Pony Championships in Moorsele and kur gold at the 2010 European Pony Championships in Bishop Burton.
She moved to the Rothenberger family as Semmieke's ride in 2011. The pair won team and Kur gold at the 2012 European Championships in Fontainebleau.
In the winter of 2014 Liselott Marie Linsenhoff took over the ride. She made her international show debut at the 2015 CDI Vidauban and showed her in Addington and Vienna that year. In 2016 she was only competed internationally at the CDI Jerez de la Frontera. They were supposed to show in the last German pony team qualifier in Hagen, but withdrew at the show. In 2016 Linsenhoff had also begun campaigning at junior level this year on Danonchen with more success.
Golden Girl has now been returned "home".
"We are so happy that Goldi is finally back in her stall at Erlenhof," said Gonnelien Rothenberger. "We have a bit the feeling that she was shining again when Semmie took her out for a light training in the ring. Semmie will be riding her again for a while and then we'll decide what Goldi's future will look like."
Photos © Astrid Appels - private.
Related Links
German Teams for 2016 European Junior/Young Riders Championships Selected
Golden Girl to Be Competed by Marie Linsenhoff
History of the European Pony Championships
Record Prices at 2005 Munster Handorf Autum Elite Auction