Nanna Skodborg Merrald Takes over Ride on Atterupgaards Orthilia

Dressage

Denmark

Blue Hors stud rider Nanna Skodborg Merrald has taken over the ride on Agnete Kirk Thinggaard's Atterupgaards Orthilia. The new duo is making its national show debut this weekend in Norre Aby, Denmark.

Atterupgaards Orthilia is a 15-year old Danish bred Oldenburg mare by Gribaldi x Donnerschlag.

She competed for Team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after which she was sold to Danish Agnete Kirk Thinggaard as her Grand Prix successor for Jojo AZ.

Unfortunately the mare struggled with niggling injuries in 2017, returned to the arena in 2018 and then was injured again.

After careful two-year rehabilition, the bay mare went to Florida this 2020 winter season, but was not shown there to give her plenty of time.

In July 2020 she made her long awaited come back at the 2020 CDN Hjallerup in Denmark and scored 72.467% to finish third in the Grand Prix. The judges had her between 70.500 (Hartig) and 75.300 (Tornblad). The pair did one more national Grand Prix in Skarup in August 2020 and placed second with 71.567%.

Thinggaard has now decided to give the ride on Orthilia to her Blue Hors team member Nanna Skodborg Merrald.

"I'm so happy that Nanna and Orthilia are ready for their first show together," said Agnete. "I love that horse and I am very pleased that Nanna has taken over - they are a super match and I will be cheering for them all the way. It gives me time to focus on my other amazing horses and most importantly, it gives me some more time to my family."

Blue Hors hopefully will have a 2021 born foal out of Orthilia as they did ICSI on her with sire Blue Hors St. Schufro. The stallion is also ridden by Merrald who has begun competing him at Grand Prix level this year after a minor injury.