
American international small tour dressage rider Jovanna Stepan got engaged to her long-time partner, Manny Garcia, who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. The 48-year old Stepan made her international show debut in Wellington in January 2020 aboard Fürstin Romantica (by Furst Romancier x Sandro Hit). In 2023 she also began competing Benedetto (by Benicio x Diamond Hit) in the CDI ring. Stepan is from Rhinebeck, NY, and has a medical background as a physicians assistant, having graduated in 2009. She worked for the Albany Medical Center but is now based in Florida. "Of course I said YES!!!" Jovanna took to Facebook. "YES to this amazing man! YES to this incredible father! YES to our adventures in life! YES to this circus and beautiful family!"
UAE team rider Natalia Lankester and her husband, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Maktoum, are expected their third child together. Lankester recently competed at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. She trains with French Olympian Morgan Barbançon in Belgium.
Lucie-Anouk Baumgurtel has premiered a new horse, Damien Hirst FH, in her first ever Intermediaire II test in a Test of Choice class at the CDN Ankum on 8 November 2023. Damien Hirst is a 12-year old Hanoverian (by Diamond Hit x Walzertraum x Eiger II) who was first competed by Nico Kapche. In 2018 and 2019 he was shown by Marcus Hermes.
weeks after he was gelded
(Photo © Thomas Henkensiefken)
Nanna Skodborg Merrald has been nominated for Denmark's Athlete of the Year 2023 Award following her team bronze and individual silver medal at the 2023 European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck. Fifteen athletes have been nominated and are fighting for Denmark's most prestigious sports award. The first five nominees are now revealed. The winner will be chosen at Sport 2023 in Herning on 6 January 2024.
Last June Danish pony rider Frederikke Lindhardt Gimsing has taken over the ride on Dr. Doolittle, a 17-year old German riding pony by Don't Worry Junior x Brooklands Moonwalker. Under Caroline Jorgensen the chestnut won a bronze medal at the Nordic Baltic Championship and competed at several CDI's in Europe. In 2022 he sold to Laura Qvist, but she only showed at national level.
Dressage Ireland has elected a new Board at its Annual General Meeting on 8 November 2023: Mark Ruddock has been elected chair and will be succeeding Marguerite Kavangh. Lucinda Blakiston Houston is vice chair. The board members are: Jane Whitaker, Simone Hession, Christine Newton, Dane Rawlins, Petra Larkin, Eilish Smith, Jane Averill, and Aisling Deverell.
Bosco, the 10-year old Oldenburg stallion by Benicio x Quaterback, famous for his palomino coat, has been sold to Japan. He has had several names in his life: Baysan MD, Altmarkshof's Be Happy, and Bosco. Owned by Rom Vermunt and Bruver, he was first trained by Kirsten and Annemarie Brouwer, then Esmee van Gijtenbeek produced him to Grand Prix level and in 2022 Febe van Zwambagt took over the ride. He's only done a handful of shows in Holland.
At the private, home approval, the NRPS studbook has licensed three stallions at Next Level Stables in The Netherlands. They are the 3-year old Popeye (by Geniaal x United), the 8-year old Gouvernant (by Governor x Krack - he was originally named Kaylen's Boy), and the 11-year old internationally competed Hennessy (by De Niro x Jazz).
And to finish things on a sad note....