Evelyn Eger and Flynn PCH, New Under 25 Partnership, Catches the Spotlight

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F.O.C.U.S.

A new Under 25 partnership, German Evelyn Eger and the internationally competed Grand Prix horse Flynn PCH, caught the spotlight at the 2020 CDI Hagen on 24 - 27 September 2020.

Only together for two weeks before their winning CDI show debut, Eger and Flynn are a pair to watch in the future.

Plum Creek Hollow's Flynn

Flynn is a 14-year old Hanoverian by Falsterbo out of Walt Lady (by Walt Disney).

He is bred by Gerhard Finck and owned by American Nancy Gooding, who is heiress of Pepsi Cola and who owns Plum Creek Hollow in Colorado.

Flynn PCH was licensed at the 2008 Hanoverian stallion licensing and he did his 30-day performance test in Redefin in March 2009, scoring 8.45 for dressage and 7.80 for show jumping to finish on a total of 8.23 points.

Gooding has been a long-time supporter of Hubertus Schmidt and sent the liver chestnut stallion to Schmidt's yard Fleyenhof for training.

Hermes, Kanerva, Lutkemeier

Schmidt schooling Flynn at the 2013 CDI Lingen

The liver chestnut was first competed by Schmidt's assistant trainer Marcus Hermes in 2009 as a 3-year old. The pair finished 6th at the 2011 Bundeschampionate. In 2012 he finished 8th in Warendorf and represented Germany at the 2012 World Young Horse Championships in Verden, where he was 8th.

In 2013 Flynn competed in the Developing Prix St Georges horse classes, first with Hermes, but after he left Fleyenhof to start working for Freiberger Hof, Hubertus Schmidt took place in the saddle himself. In 2014 he rode him in the Louisdor Cup qualifiers. Later that year Emma Kanerva took over the ride and campaigned him for a year.

In 2016 it was Fabienne Lutkemeier's turn to compete Flynn and she qualified him for the 2016 Louisdor Cup Finals, but had to withdraw due to an injury.

The stallion made his come back to the show ring in 2018. In 2019 they did their first and only international together in Uggerhalne.

Flynn PCH to Hof Kasselmann

Eger and Flynn PCH at the 2020 CDI Hagen

With Fabienne Lutkemeier pregnant, a new rider was found for Flynn at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, the German Under 25 rider Evelyn Eger.

The pair had a show debut in style: straight away into the international arena at the CDI Hagen, placing second in the Intermediaire II with 71.323% and winning the Short Grand Prix with 73.154%.

"We didn't know each other so well in our first competition," Eger told Eurodressage. "The first day i didn't really know what I would expect, so I just took one exercise after the other and tried to ride safely through the test! The next day I knew more what to expect from him, so I rode a bit more through the test and dared to risk a bit. The feeling was amazing and I just enjoyed."

Eger immediately fell in love with Flynn's personality.

"Flynn is a real gentleman," she emphasized. "A horse with a big heart, very fine, polite and attentive! He likes to get attention, but does not always have to be in the center of it all. I think his charisma in combination with his stunning looks and quality in the riding makes him an extra ordinary horse."

Evelyn is thrilled to ride the experienced stallion, who is the perfect Grand Prix schoolmaster with impeccable training.

"It's an honour to ride this horse, I'm really grateful," she said. "I don't feel pressure (because of his fine reputation). I can learn a lot from Flynn because he learned from the best riders! It's a big opportunity for me to improve so I'm thankful for every day and just try to enjoy every ride on him."

On 17 - 18 October 2020 at the national indoor show in Ankum, Eger continued to consolidate her partnership on Flynn by placing second in the Intermediaire II with 72.85% and winning the Short Grand Prix with 73.14%.