Former British Grand Prix team rider Michael Eilberg has announced the retirement of Woodlander Dornroschen, the 15-year old British bred Hanoverian mare with whom he competed internationally for the past five years.
Bred by Manfred and Karin Hoerner in Germany and acquired as a foal at auction by Lynne Crowden of Woodlander Stud, Dornroschen is by Dimaggio out of Claire (by Caprimond x Der Clou).
The bright bay mare arrived in Eilberg's stable for training nine years ago and was cited as the reason for Michael to stick to dressage instead of show jumping.
Dornroschen won the 2008 British Young Horse Championships as a 6-year old, beating Valegro and the 2009 British Dressage Championships at Advanced Medium Level and in 2011 at Prix St Georges level.
The duo made its international show debut at small tour level at the 2012 CDI Vidauban, where they placed fourth in the Prix St Georges and won the Intermediaire I. In 2015 they competed in the medium tour and by July 2015 they contested the senior Grand Prix classes. In 2016 the pair showed only in Valencia, Roosendaal and Rotterdam.
Dornroschen combined a career in sport with breeding (through embryotransfer). She produced the double Young Horse World Champion Woodlander Farouche (by Furst Heinrich), as well as the now 5-year old licensed stallion Franz Ferdinand (by Furst Heinrich) and the 6-year old stallion Freddy M (by For Compliment). Several years ago the mare suffered from laminitis but she recovered to full health and continued her competition career up to Grand Prix level.
"It was a sad for us all yesterday (1 January 2017) as we had to say goodbye to the wonderful and special horse that is Rosie," said Eilberg. "Initial memories include her putting most of us on the floor to start with, having to work her in on the car park at some of our first competition's as she was scared of the other horses, no to mention routing in the prize giving at the nationals and making me look like a complete idiot. But other memories include... her winning the 6yrs old championships out of the blue, being one of very few to have ever beaten Valegro, being the mother of the amazing horse that is Farouche, after having had laminitis she came back at her first show bringing a tear to the eyes of everyone involved after winning the freestyle with 79%, and lastly reaching her highest achievement winning internationally at Grand Prix!"
"We want to say a big thank you to everybody who had been apart of this horses journey with us and really hope Rosie can have the retirement now she deserves," Eilberg concluded.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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