Sönke Rothenberger and Fendi will not be riding on the German team at the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck (GER) on 4 - 10 September 2023. The horse has sustained "a minor injury."
Rothenberger announced the news on his Instagram channel with a video of Fendi in the paddock.
"Fendi is only 9 years old and surely at the start of his career," Sönke wrote. "The wellfare of my horses is always first. Of course there is still relatively much time before Riesenbeck, but the idea grew in me that I don't want to build up any pressure on Fendi, who shouldn't fulfil all hopes and expectations at the age of 9. He will get the time he'll need."
Even though Rothenberger will not make his return to the team on which he last rode in 2019 with Cosmo, Sönke is looking forward to September. "I'm looking forward to the coming weeks when my wife and I are expecting a son at the start of September."
The 29-year old has been in a relationship with Svenja Isabell Ziske for the past five years. She is head of creative development at the online shop Westwing.
Germany has not yet officially declared a team although the "long list" of four combinations left nothing to the imagination. Team mates Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Dalera), Frederic Wandres (Bluetooth), and Isabell Werth (Quantaz) will be joined by first reserve Matthias Rath (Thiago GS).
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
German "Long" Listed Riders for the 2023 European Dressage Championships Named
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2023 European Dressage Championships