Sandy Phillips' Grand Prix horse Lara has passed away at age 22. The Rhinelander mare was part of the British team that competed at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.
The Rhinelander registered Lara was born in 1994 and bred by Heinrich Dresen. She was by Lanciano out Larissa (by Larome x Ehrensold x Riesling).
Lara began her show career as a 3-year old in Germany in 1997 under Maria Brouwer. Deborah Zester showed her once that same year. The mare finished fourth at the 1998 German Young Horse Championships, whcih were then held in Cologne. In 2000 Ann Katrin Linnewedel (née Ehlen) took over the ride and represented Germany at the 2000 World Young Horse Championships in Arnheim, The Netherlands. The pair was 29th out of 31 combinations. Linnewedel took the horse up to small tour level.
In 2003 British Sandy Phillips made her show debut on Lara in Germany at M-level. At the regional show in Unna-Kessebüren, they were 8th in the M-test and 9th in the S-level class. They showed at small tour level at the 2003 CDN Lingen and further competed in Neiheim-Hüsten and Munich that year.
In 2006 Lara made her big international break through at Grand Prix level. The pair showed at the CDI Aachen, that year held in May, and were selected on the British team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, where they landed sixth place with the team and 28th place in the Grand Prix Special. The combination finished the season in greatest style, taking the 2006 British Grand Prix Champion's title. It was also their last year in the show ring.
An injury ended Lara's sport career in 2007, but the mare went on to become a successful broodmare. She sired two Oldenburg registered licensed sons! In 2005 she produced the licensed stallion Diamond Design (by Diamond Hit) through embryo transfer. In 2008 she produced a Westfalian registered colt by Damon Hill and in 2009 she gave birth to the Oldenburg licensed stallion Santana (by Sir Donnerhall I).
Lara was euthanized in December. The 58-year old rider and owner Sandy Phillips (née Phlueger) is now active as an international dressage and eventing judge.
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Lara
Sandy Phillips and Lara, 2006 British Grand Prix Dressage Champions
Sandy Phillips Steps Down as British Dressage Selector
British Team for the 2006 World Equestrian Games Announced
Results - 2000 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses