Jochen Arl Finds L.A. Olympic Hopeful For U.S. Grand Prix Rider Lauren Sammis

Dressage

U.S.A.

American Grand Prix rider Lauren Sammis has sourced her LA. Olympic hopeful in Lithuania. She tapped into Jochen Arl's portfolio to find her match: the 6-year old Oldenburg gelding Ferero Rocher.

Ferero Rocher is by Valverde out of Fousine (by Foundation x Furst Romancier).

Ferero Rocher

Bred out of one of Paul Schockemöhle's most successful dam lines, Ferero Rocher has Gesina as grand dam. She produced licensed stallions For Romance I and II, Feinrich, Despacito, Golden Romance Malleret PS, Don Romance, and Viva Romance.

Lithuanian Grand Prix rider Sandra Sysojeva made her international show debut on a 5-year old Ferero Rocher at the CDI Parnu (FIN) in May 2023. She also competed him in the young horse classes at the CDI's in Sopot and Rigo, winning every single test entered. Most recently the duo achieved a double victory at the 2024 CDI Kalen-Towarzystwo (POL) in the 6-year old classes.

Sandra has trained the horse to FEI level. He is already showing great talent for piaffe and passage.

Sold to the U.S.A.

The gelding has been bought by a silent supporter of Lauren Sammis from German horse dealer Jochen Arl.

"What first impressed me about this horse is his elasticity," Lauren told Eurodressage. "He has tremendous and impressive gaits with the ability to collect and sit down in his hind quarters. His character is outstanding, but he offers so much presence. He is a horse that is meant to be in the big arena."

Arl took Sammis to Lithuania to see Ferero and it was a whirlwind tour. "When I was presented with the horse I knew I had to react quickly, and I booked my travel to Lithuania for the upcoming weekend," she reminisced, adding jokingly. "I spent less than 15 hours in the country. It’s not the easiest place to get to or get out of."

In June 2023, the 53-year old Sammis made her return to the international stage after a seven-year break from showing at CDI's. Aboard Sagacious HF (by Welt Hit II x Cocktail) she won team gold and individual silver at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. On Whitman (by Rhodium x Saluut) she competed at CDI Grand Prix level in 2014 and 2015.

A Phone Call Away

Lauren splits her time between South Orange, New Jersey, and Wellington, Florida, and occasionally trains with Ashley Holzer. She has collaborated extensively with Arl in the 2000s importing and selling horses from Europe.

It took one phone call to jochen to be immediately assisted in finding a new Olympic hopeful. Sammis wants to aim for the 2028 Olympics on home turf in Los Angeles.

"My immediate goal with this Ferero is to build a relationship," she explained. "He has been with one person for all of his working career, and it will be important to gain his trust. Next year I would be looking at the seven-year-old championships, but a long-term goal would be representing The United States at the LA Olympics."