Schneider Withdraws First Romance from 2023 CDIO Aachen

Dressage

Germany

Dorothee Schneider has announced the withdrawal of First Romance from the 2023 CDIO Aachen, the second German team selection trial for the 2023 European Championships.

Schneider's 13-year old Baden Wurttemberger bred First Romance (by Furst Romancier x Day Dream) is not fit to compete.

Up the Levels

Owned by Schneider's long time sponsor Gabriele Kippert and her sister Eva-Maria Mann, First Romance was produced up the levels by Schneider.

The pair made its CDI debut in 2015 at the CDI Perl in the 5-year old classes, winning both rounds. Three years later, they tackled small tour level at international shows and campaigned at the CDI's in Fritzens, Aache, and Ranbol in 2018. They won the 2018 Nurnberger Burgpokal for developing PSG horses in Frankfurt and in 2020 were third in the Louisdor Cup Finals in Kronverg?

in 2021 the pair made its international Grand Prix debut at the CDI Ludwigsburg, winning the Special with 72.404%. In 2022 they campaigned in Lier, Mannheim, Wiesbaden, Fritzens, and Ludwigsburg. This year they were second twice behind Glamourdale at the 2023 CDI 5* Fontainbleau and Posted scores between 72 - 74% at the CDI Munich.

At the 2023 German Dressage Championships last week, they showed they are part of Germany's best by scoring 74.380% in the Grand Prix and 74.607% in the Special, which placed 9th in the Championships. They withdrew from the freestyle on Sunday 11 June though.

Injury

Dorothee explained what happened in Balve.

First Romance in Balve in 2016 as a 6-year old

"Unfortunately Roman stumbled in the warm up before the test and afterwards he gave me the feeling that unfortunately he hurt himself a bit," said Dorothee. "That's why I withdrew him. At home the feeling was confirmed...Roman strained a tendon."

This means that Dorothee will have to cancel her start in the 4* tour in Aachen

"The injury has to heal first. Roman is currently enjoying a lot of wellness and is now taking a break from sport," Dorothee added.

The silver lining to the experience in Balve is that her developing small tour horse, the Westfalian premium stallion Escalito (by Escolar x Conello), has qualified for the 2023 Nurnberger Burgpokal Finals in December.