German Grand Prix rider Katharina Birkenholz has severely injured herself in a stable accident at the 2017 CDN Landshut at the beginning of April. She is out from riding for at least six months.
"When I was plaiting Fifth Avenue for the competition in Landshut, the ladder folded and I fell on my back," Birkenholz told Eurodressage. "My seventh cervical and the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae got broken." Katharina was operated on to stabilize her spine with an internal fixture. "After six months it will be taken out and then I can start riding again," she added.
With the Baden Wurttemberger bred Don Androsso (by Donnerschlag x Akzent II x Rokoko), Birkenholz competed at international Grand Prix level until March 2015, when she had to euthanize her horse who was diagnosed with a tumour on his spinal cord.
The now 11-year old Oldenburg bred Fifth Avenue (by Florencio x Dormello) took over the torch and was shown at international small tour level in the spring of 2015. The CDI Villach in May 2015 was Katharina's last international competition. The liver chestnut has moved up to national Grand Prix level since then.
Birkenholz moved Fifth Avenue to her trainer Uwe Schwanz, who is now showing 'Fiffy' so the horse can gain more mileage at Grand Prix.
"They already won their first show together after my short come back with Fiffy after pregnancy," said Katharina. "I am confident in the future of this amazing horse and hope to be back in the ring at the end of the year ."
In November 2015 Birkenholz married her partner Marc Hau. She became a mother to son Maximilian on 24 November.
Photo © LL-foto
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